Flood risk leads to local state of emergency, evacuation alerts in parts of B.C.’s Fraser Valley

oversupply siren in Sumas, launder., heard in Abbotsford, B.C.

Chilliwack River rises as heavily rain hits B.C.’s Fraser Valley

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Forecasters had warned that the atmospheric river system currently inundating B.C. Was likely to have a larger impact on Washington and Oregon.

Robert Ezelle from the emergency management division of the Washington Military Department said landslide risks had increased statewide and would remain that way due to saturated soil.

“What we're seeing is multiple rivers — all the way from the border with Canada down to southwestern Washington — are currently at moderate to major flood stage levels, and we're going to just see those levels increase as we go into tomorrow and Friday,” he told reporters earlier today.

While much of B.C.’s Fraser Valley is, as the Chilliwack mayor said, in a "wait-and-see" stage, neighbouring Washington state is dealing with record flooding after its second storm in just a few days.

Washington has now declared a state of emergency due to flooding, with Gov. Bob Ferguson saying officials expect as many as 100,000 residents could be ordered to evacuate their homes.

“Lives will be at stake in the coming days,” he said.

In an emergency briefing, Ferguson said he was asking the federal government to approve the emergency declaration and provide the state with funds to help save lives.

Major flooding is expected in some areas, including the Skagit River valley, a major agricultural region north of Seattle. Ferguson said the state expects its affected rivers to hit historic levels as early as 4 a.m. Tomorrow, “lasting into Friday morning,” he said on X.

Be sure to close all doors and windows. Latch any gates, but do not lock them. If you have natural gas, do not turn it off — FortisBC will do that, if needed.

If you do need to evacuate your home, aim to travel in one vehicle so you do not contribute to traffic congestion. It’s also suggested you offer transportation to neighbours or people in need, if you have space in your vehicle.

Two jurisdictions in the Fraser Valley have issued evacuations warnings and/or alerts for people living in areas at risk of flooding.

People living in the affected areas are being asked to prepare to leave on short notice.

Here’s what you can do to get ready, according to the Fraser River Valley District and the City of Abbotsford:

Chilliwack River rises as heavy rain hits B.C.’s Fraser Valley

A video taken on Dec. 10, 2025, shows high water levels in the Chilliwack River as torrential rain hammered the region. (Credit: Troy Lovdahl)

Deborah Rossi, who owns Tamihi Meadows RV Park & Cabins on the bank of the Chilliwack River, said the waters were "raging" and some of the trees on her property were already underwater as of 3:45 p.m. PT.

She said a previous flooding event in the Fraser Valley washed out 20 of her campsites, and deposited a foot of silt and sand in an adjoining meadow.

Asked about the Nooksack River, Popove said "there's always a concern because of what happened a few years ago," but added that 2021 was different because that was "a perfect storm."

"There was a high tide, the Fraser River was high, Barrowtown [pump station] was overrun and all these [changes] now are all in place. Barrowtown's in good shape, floodgates are open, the Fraser River is down, so, again, I'm optimistic that we should be fine," he said.

"But it isn't a thing that you take lightly. We take it very, very seriously."

Popove said Chilliwack’s emergency operations centre is up and running, just in case.

"It's really a wait-and-see for us right now. It's certainly soggy, there's a lot of surface flooding … so, fingers crossed, we'll be OK," the mayor said.

He said he was confident the rain would stop after midnight.

"I'm an optimistic guy," he said. "I think the worst [of the rain] is here and it is going to subside."

He said he’s optimistic the city will manage, but acknowledged the rain is stirring up unpleasant memories.

"There’s a lot of angst, that’s for sure. It’s been a crazy day with people worried about what happened in 2021, which, you know, that’s fair. But that was a seven-day-er," he said of the rain event that year.

"This is only a couple day-er. So we'll all be fine out here. We’ll be fine."

This is what the atmospheric river bringing heavy rain to southern B.C. And the Pacific Northwest looks like on satellite, with the reds and yellows signifying the heaviest rain.

The City of Abbotsford said it’s keeping in touch with neighbouring Whatcom County in Washington.

"The Nooksack River is expected to overtop its banks this afternoon and overflow water will take approximately seven hours to cross the Canada/U.S.A. Border based on past experience," the Canadian city’s statement reads.

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