Environment Canada is warning of more rain for the Fraser Valley this weekend and into early next week, even as floodwaters that inundated parts of Abbotsford earlier this week begin to recede.
In a special weather statement issued early Saturday morning, the weather agency said the already saturated region could see another system move in overnight and persist through Sunday. This will be followed by a “potentially significant push of moisture” starting Monday, it said.
Environment Canada says while rainfall amounts remain uncertain for now, warnings will be issued if conditions worsen.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre has also issued a high streamflow advisory for large parts of the province, including the North and South Coast, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Fraser Canyon. This means river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is anticipated at this time.
In its advisory, the centre said a series of atmospheric rivers is expected to affect B.C.’s coast starting Sunday and extending through next week, which it says will create a prolonged period of heightened flood hazard.
Despite the hazard, the centre has ended several official flood warnings. This includes the lower Fraser River, and its tributaries in areas around Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and east through Manning Park, and the Similkameen River tributaries, including headwater tributaries at and upstream of Princeton and the Tulameen River.
Flood warnings are issued when river levels have exceeded or will exceed the river bank soon. As of Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT, B.C.’s only flood warning still in place is for the Sumas River.
Heavy rain forecast for Sunday and Monday could lead to high streamflows into Tuesday, particularly in areas already impacted by recent storms.
The centre said that warmer temperatures could also contribute to additional runoff from snowmelt, increasing the risk of erosion, unstable riverbanks, swift water, submerged roads and landslides.
Environment Canada is also cautioning that additional rainfall could increase the risk of landslides, as rainfall may destabilize slopes.
Waters from the Nooksack River in Washington state, which overflowed Thursday, continued to flow across the border Friday, but the City of Abbotsford says the waters have peaked and are gradually dropping.
The city says floodgates are open at the Barrowtown pump station, sending floodwaters out of the Sumas River and into the Fraser River.
More than 450 properties in Abbotsford remain under evacuation order and over 1,000 are on alert.
Rapid damage assessments are now underway with support from city staff and Canada Task Force 1. The city says the inspections will determine whether homes are safe to re-enter or if additional work is required before residents can return.
Each assessed home will be marked with a placard indicating whether it is safe to occupy and providing information on where residents can seek further support. The city says the assessments are a critical step in deciding when evacuation orders can be lifted.
The Chawathil First Nation issued an evacuation order for two properties on Jackson Ave in Hope, just north of Fraser River and Highway 7 on Friday night.
The Chawathil First Nation has issued an Evacuation Order for 2 properties on Jackson Ave. in #HopeBC due to #BCFlood. Flood waters pose a threat to life & safety. Anyone in the area must leave NOW. Affected residents can evacuate to Chawathil Community Hall (50941 Lougheed Hwy,… pic.twitter.com/onzrvHGnBv
Further east, two properties close to the Similkameen River in Princeton, B.C. along Highway 3 have also been evacuated due to the threat of flooding.
Evacuation orders also remain in place for the Chopaka Electoral Area in rural Cawston B.C., an unincorporated community southeast of Princeton, however officials have not specified how many properties are affected.
The City of Chilliwack says wet weather forecasted to begin Sunday by Environment Canada will swell local rivers, which may cause localized flooding, but flows are expected to be less severe than those earlier in the week.
The flooding that has filled fields and closed Highway 1 and the Sumas border crossing is reminiscent of floods in 2021 that were also caused by overflows from the Nooksack River.
Highway 1 westbound re-opens in Abbotsford
While some transportation routes through the Fraser Valley remain shut, police announced that Highway 1 westbound opened around 6:30 p.m. PT Saturday evening between Whatcom Road and No. 3 Road.
The Ministry of Transportation said in a news release that the highway’s eastbound lanes remain closed as they are still covered by water.
“People are asked to continue to avoid travel in this area unless necessary,” the ministry said.
City officials are warning drivers not to rely on navigation apps, saying Apple Maps is incorrectly showing some side roads as open.
The closure has forced drivers over to Highway 7 and Highway 9 for travel between the Lower Mainland and eastern parts of the Fraser Valley.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says Highway 3 has sustained extensive damage following the atmospheric river earlier this week.
Photos provided by the ministry show widespread destruction along the corridor, including rockfall, roadway debris, shoulder undermining, exposed or blocked culverts and areas of standing water. The ministry says approximately 23 sites have been damaged along the route.
Maintenance contractor crews are now carrying out emergency repair and restoration work, including slope stabilization, culvert repairs and shoulder reconstruction, according to the ministry. The highway remains closed between Hope and East Gate in Manning Park and will not reopen until it is safe and repairs are complete.
Highway 3 has reopened between Manning Park and Princeton.
DriveBC has a list of all road closures and reopenings.
