Highway 1 through Abbotsford reopens as floodwaters recede, more wet weather in store for Fraser Valley

Highway 1 has reopened through Abbotsford, B.C., as floodwaters recede, though officials are preparing for another wave of wet weather across the Fraser Valley. Some evacuation orders have been downgraded, but rainfall warnings are in effect, and concerns remain about possible landslides.

Highway 1 Reopens with Restrictions

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit announced Sunday morning that Highway 1 is now open through Abbotsford with one eastbound lane and both westbound lanes available. Reduced speed limits and congestion are expected, and longer travel times are likely. A complete list of road closures and reopenings can be found on the DriveBC website.

Evacuation Orders Lifted, But Concerns Remain

The City of Abbotsford lifted evacuation alerts Saturday evening for 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie West and Sumas Prairie East. An additional 160 properties were downgraded from an evacuation order to an evacuation alert, including most properties along Angus Campbell Road and Huntingdon Village. However, evacuation orders remain in place for 325 properties throughout Sumas Prairie. An interactive evacuation map, searchable by address, is available on the City of Abbotsford’s website.

Abbotsford fire chief Erick Peterson said the city is hoping to lift remaining evacuation orders for more than 300 properties in the Sumas Prairie on Sunday, noting that damage assessments have shown most evacuated homes are safe to re-enter.

New Rainfall and Landslide Warnings

Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings for the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Metro Vancouver, and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The new system is expected to bring “significant rain” of up to 80 millimetres, with the heaviest downpours on Monday. The weather agency is also warning of possible landslides in vulnerable areas, including steep slopes, deforested regions, and recent burn scars.

Ongoing Challenges for Residents

Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens acknowledged that while floodwaters are receding, overflow water continues to cross the border from the Nooksack River. The city’s emergency operations centre remains active and will continue to closely monitor river levels and weather conditions.

Some residents continue to face significant challenges. Farmer Jesse Fuller says his family has been trapped on their property for nearly two days due to flooded roads, relying on a fishing boat to access supplies. Fuller stated, “It’s what we have to do so we can stay fed.” He noted his property is within an evacuation zone, but he remains with his family and animals.

Nearby resident Teresa Vogel described her shock at seeing floodwaters surrounding the Delair Park baseball diamond, while Cindy Braun said the rising water brought back memories of the devastating 2021 floods.

Environment Canada’s updated weather warning system includes colour-coded alerts, with yellow alerts indicating hazardous weather that could cause moderate or localized impacts. Orange alerts signal severe weather with widespread impacts, and red alerts are reserved for extreme, life-threatening events. All current rainfall warnings are yellow alerts.