Flooding forces major evacuation alert in the Fraser Valley
Heavy rainfall has caused major issues in the Fraser Valley and resulted in the partial closures of two major highways.
As of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Highway 1 has been closed to eastbound traffic between Bridal Falls and Hope, while Highway 7 has been shut down between Agassiz and Hope due to a rock slide.
They are among six highway routes out of the Lower Mainland that are currently partially or completely closed due to the inclement weather.
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- All highways out of Lower Mainland closed due to flooding, rock fall, and avalanche risk
- B.C. flood watch issued as atmospheric river could bring 80 mm of rain to Vancouver
At this point, there is no estimated time of reopening.
⛔️ #BCHwy1 – Eastbound is CLOSED between #BridalFalls / #BCHwy9 and #HopeBC due to flooding. A travel advisory has been issued for all travel in the #FraserValley.
⚠️There is no eastbound access from the Lower Mainland to #HopeBC at this time. #BCHwy7 remains closed between…
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 11, 2025
The @City_Abbotsford has issued an Evacuation Alert for Sumas Prairie West & Clayburn Village due to #BCFlood. Flood waters are a threat to life & safety. Anyone in the impacted area must be ready to leave on short notice. More info & map: https://t.co/cwhFxgOVGA pic.twitter.com/dPnhnvH0S7
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) December 11, 2025
B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit issued a travel advisory on Wednesday evening for parts of the Fraser Valley, asking people to “avoid travel unless necessary until the heavy rainfall passes and water levels subside.”
The province is reminding people that conditions can change quickly, and there is limited visibility on some roadways because of the “high-intensity” rainfall, pooling water, and the potential for rising river levels that could cause flooding.
Because of a risk of flooding, avoid travel in the Fraser Valley unless necessary until the atmospheric river passes and water levels subside. Highway 1 and other provincial roadways could close with little or no notice. Follow @DriveBC for the latest info. #BCFlood pic.twitter.com/U4LLTuexI2
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) December 11, 2025
Another closure of note is Highway 11 at the Sumas border crossing, which has been shut down to commercial traffic. Local traffic is being allowed through.
Flooding causes evacuations and alerts
The dangerous weather has also forced a number of evacuation alerts in the Sumas Prairie and Clayburn Village areas of Abbotsford.
The alerts were issued following a Flood Warning from the B.C. River Forecast Centre and conversations with provincial officials and was based on modelling that suggested the flood could be significant, but not as significant as what was seen in 2021.
Mayor Siemens & EOC Director Erick Peterson provide an update on the Flood Warning & current evacuation alerts. Conditions & forecasts are always subject to change and the City will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as information becomes available. pic.twitter.com/48lcXV5QLm
— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) December 11, 2025
Across the border, officials are staying in contact as the Nooksack River is expected to overflow its banks.
According to the City of Abbotsford, properties that could be most impacted were set to receive hand-delivered notices from emergency crews.
There are also a number of road closures around Abbotsford, including Gladwin Road, which is currently closed in both directions between Downes Road and Townshipline Road.
Gladwin Road is currently closed in both directions between Downes Road and Townshipline Road due to flooding in the area. Thank you to the City crews who are hard at work. pic.twitter.com/nkduUETnsE
— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) December 11, 2025
In a post on X, Abbotsford Police have also been thanking crews who are hard at work.