Flooding in Fraser Valley could peak as B.C. prepares for second system

Flooding in the Fraser Valley, caused by overflow from the Nooksack River in Washington state, is expected to peak on Friday, after making its way through the Sumas Prairie overnight.

Water breached the Trans Canada Highway late on Thursday evening, which is currently closed between Sumas Way and No. 3 Road.

Additionally, 82 more properties in the Huntingdon Village area were put on evacuation order on Thursday, which is on top of the 371 properties already evacuated in the Sumas Prairie West area and more than 1,000 properties currently on evacuation alert.

B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says more than 160 farms in the Fraser Valley are under evacuation order or alert, although livestock is considered safe.

“Our priority, of course, is to protect people, animals, and the agriculture sector,” she said.

“I can tell you that the theme of a lot of those calls has been that, yeah, they’re pretty worried, but they feel more prepared.”

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David Campbell with the BC River Forecast Centre said rainfall warnings are down, but the forecast shows another round of atmospheric river and stormy systems is expected Sunday and may bring with it increased flood hazards.

Campbell says that will give a little bit of time to create room in many of B.C.’s rivers that are at or near flood stage.

Local states of emergency have been declared in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley Regional District due to the flooding.

All public schools in Abbotsford and Chilliwack are also closed on Friday.

3:39 Flooding in Chilliwack prompts evacuations

In Chilliwack, the Vedder River has receded from higher water levels, but localized flooding has still been an issue, with some roads being washed out.

Some local creeks have also overflowed after one of the dikes holding back the Chilliwack River breached on Wednesday night, causing some evacuation orders and alerts.

“The water started coming through the backyard, so the dike gave away here,” resident Rob Unrau said.

“It used to go out about 20 feet further, and it was just, I came out for another look half an hour later, and it was just gone. Twenty feet of the dike was gone, and the water was charging in right between the pump house and the dike there, just roaring in and filled our backyard with about a foot to a foot and a half of water.”

The River Forecast Centre says the Nooksack peaked south of the border on Thursday afternoon.