British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): While floodwaters have begun to ease in some areas of Abbotsford, authorities say the danger is far from over for many communities in British Columbia, with more rain expected to fall on already waterlogged ground in the coming days.
City officials in Abbotsford confirmed on Saturday that conditions have improved in certain neighbourhoods. However, water continues to flow north from the Nooksack River in Washington state, which breached its banks earlier in the week, keeping pressure on low-lying areas of the Fraser Valley.
Major transportation routes remain severely disrupted. The Trans-Canada Highway is still closed through Abbotsford, cutting off the most direct connection between Metro Vancouver and the rest of the province. EmergencyInfoBC reiterated that Highway 1 remains impassable and warned motorists against attempting detours through side roads, many of which are submerged.
Authorities stressed that navigating flooded roadways poses serious risks. Several collisions and accidents have been reported during the extreme weather event, including a fatal incident late Saturday morning. Abbotsford police said a vehicle left the roadway and overturned into a water-filled ditch along Huntingdon Road. Despite rescue efforts, the lone occupant was pronounced dead at the scene. The road remained closed for investigation.
The flooding has already led to widespread evacuations. According to B.C.’s Emergency Management Minister Kelly Green, roughly 450 properties across the province have been evacuated, with the majority located in Abbotsford. An additional 1,700 properties remain under evacuation alert as conditions continue to evolve.
For many residents, the situation has revived memories of the devastating floods of 2021. Abbotsford resident Cindy Braun said seeing water cover Highway 1 was alarming and familiar. Although she noted that the current flooding is not as severe as four years ago, she said the uncertainty of how long the water will linger remains distressing.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting additional rainfall, including a strong surge of moisture expected early next week. The agency has also warned of an elevated risk of landslides as saturated slopes become increasingly unstable.
In nearby Chilliwack, Mayor Ken Popove said city crews are closely monitoring areas known to be vulnerable, particularly locations affected by landslides in the past. Evacuation notices have been issued for Marble Hill due to debris-flow concerns, while alerts remain in place for select areas near Patterson Road.
Experts say the recurring flooding highlights a growing challenge linked to climate change. University of British Columbia conservation scientist Tara Martin said research indicates that flooding events in the region are likely to become more frequent and intense. She noted that areas such as the Sumas Prairie are especially exposed because heavier rainfall and atmospheric rivers are sending water into rivers more rapidly than in the past.
Martin said long-term solutions may require difficult decisions, including relocating residents from high-risk zones. She argued that property buyouts, though costly, could be more effective than investing in large-scale flood-control infrastructure that may still fail under extreme conditions.
The impact of the floods extends beyond residential areas. Agricultural operations have also been affected, particularly dairy farms. B.C. Dairy Board chair Casey Proom said water levels on farms have stabilized, but cleanup will be extensive. He added that many producers remain frustrated by the lack of major infrastructure improvements since the 2021 disaster, even as they work to protect livestock and maintain operations.
The province’s River Forecast Centre has issued high streamflow advisories for all coastal regions, urging the public to stay away from fast-moving rivers, unstable banks and flooded roads. Officials are advising residents to monitor updates closely and avoid unnecessary travel as weather and water conditions can change rapidly.
