All highways out of Lower Mainland closed due to flooding, rock fall, and avalanche risk
All highways linking the Lower Mainland to the rest of British Columbia have been completely or partially shut down as a result of flooding, falling rock and debris, and escalating avalanche hazards, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit announced on Wednesday evening.
This major highway closure bulletin was issued at 9:19 p.m.
According to the Ministry, a combination of severe weather and unstable terrain has forced the closure of routes out of the Lower Mainland. Officials say there is currently no estimated timeline for reopening, and travellers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
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The following routes are currently closed until further notice:
- Highway 1 eastbound at Highway 9
- Highway 1 in both directions between Hope and Lytton
- Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton
- Highway 5 (Coquihalla) between Hope and Merritt
- Highway 7 west of Hope (between Highway 9 and Ross Road)
- Highway 11 at the Sumas border crossing (closed to commercial traffic; open to local traffic only)
- Highway 99 between Mt. Currie and Lillooet
Earlier this evening, an evacuation alert was also issued for a large area of the Sumas Prairie in the Fraser Valley.
These highway closures, cutting off all routes between the Lower Mainland and B.C.’s Interior, and flooding in the Fraser Valley echo disruptions seen during past extreme weather events — particularly the inclement weather of late 2021.
Maintenance contractors and Ministry crews are actively patrolling affected corridors to assess hazards and clear debris where possible. Work crews remain on standby to begin reopening efforts as soon as conditions allow, though officials emphasize that public safety remains the priority.
Drivers are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel, monitor traffic updates, and prepare for prolonged disruptions.