An atmospheric river has been hitting the Fraser Valley region hard.
On Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit closed major highways between the Lower Mainland and the Interior due to flooding, falling rock and debris, and high avalanche hazards.
As of Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at 3:50 p.m., the following highways are closed:
* Highway 1 eastbound closed at Highway 9
* Highway 1 closed between Hope and Lytton – reopened on Thursday morning
* Highway 3 closed between Hope and Princeton
* Highway 5 closed between Hope and Merritt – reopened on Thursday afternoon
* Highway 7 is closed west of Hope (between Highway 9 and Ross Road)
* Highway 11 at the Sumas border crossing is closed to commercial traffic, open to local traffic only
* Highway 99 is closed between Mt. Currie and Lillooet – reopened on Thursday morning
There is no timeline for the rest of the highways reopening at this time.
Meanwhile, the Fraser Valley Regional District has issued an evacuation order for eight properties along the Chilliwack River.
The properties are located in Electoral Area E – Wilson Road area.
The properties under Evacuation Order include: 4292 Wilson Road, 4293 Wilson Road, 4313 Wilson Road, 4335 Wilson Road, 4345 Wilson Road, 4294 Wilson Road, 4296 Wilson Road, 4298 Wilson Road.
Anyone in the affected area must leave immediately.
The Fraser Valley Regional District also declared a local state of emergency on Dec. 10 due to the atmospheric river hitting B.C.’s South Coast.
An evacuation alert is in effect for several properties on Chilliwack Lake Road.
In addition, the City of Abbotsford is issuing evacuation alerts for properties in Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village.
This follows a Flood Warning issued earlier on Wednesday by the B.C. River Forecast Centre and further conversations with the Province of BC based on their modelling information, which shows that the flooding may be more than what was seen in 2020 but not as significant as the 2021 event, according to the city.
The Nooksack River in Whatcom County, south of the border, is expected to overtop its banks and overflow water will take approximately seven hours to cross the border.
The most potentially impacted properties will receive hand-delivered notices from Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Abbotsford Police Department and others.
Residents in Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village are encouraged to plan ahead should they need to evacuate.
Crews will also be closing Cole Road at the dike, between Wellsline Road and Vye Road, later on Wednesday evening.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has also issued a travel advisory for areas in the Fraser Valley where there is a risk of flooding. People are asked to avoid travel unless necessary until the heavy rainfall passes and water levels subside.
Highway 1 and other provincial roadways could be closed with little or no notice, the ministry warns.
An orange warning for rainfall has been issued for the central Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack and east, including Hope and the Skagit Valley.
Orange alerts are issued when severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption or health impacts. Impacts can be major, widespread and/or may last a few days.
Environment Canada is warning that the system will bring up to 110 millimetres of rain in 24 hours. Localized flooding, high streamflows and reduced visibility on roads are likely, and some roads may become impassable.
They advise not to drive through flooded roadways and to stay away from rivers, creeks and culverts.