Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack closed again due to flooding

Another stretch of Highway 1 is closed due to the wet weather that continues to wallop southwestern B.C. At 5 p.m. Sunday, the route between Abbotsford and Chilliwack was shut down.

There is no estimated time of reopening.

This morning at 11:30 am. This is a video showing the flood water flowing in across Boundary Rd, just east of Second.
Video from ⁦@AbbyPoliceDept⁩ pic.twitter.com/KV4URw90Zs

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) November 28, 2021

Highway 1 between the McCallum and and Yale Road exits was not included in the “proactive” weekend highway closures announced by the province on Friday. This stretch was, however, closed for 11 days earlier this month and only reopened on Nov. 25.

The other closures, which are all still in effect, are on Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon and between Popkum and Hope, Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton, and Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet. There’s no word on when those routes will reopen, either.

A statement from the province says these routes were closed because “the highway infrastructure in these areas is extremely vulnerable following recent storm events.”

Related articles:

• ‘It’s headed here. There’s nothing to stop it’: Abbotsford bracing for floodwater from Nooksack River

• Rain-related B.C. highway closures remain in effect

After flooding first hit the region on Nov. 14, dozens of vehicles became trapped between slides. Hundreds of people, including about 50 kids, spent a cold night in their cars.

Beyond what the province is hoping to be a very temporary closure on these routes, a travel restriction is in place. Whenever the routes are reopened, only essential trips will be allowed along Highway 99 and Highway 3, as well as Highway 7 between Mission and Hope.

Fuel restrictions are in effect in B.C., limiting most drivers to 30 litres per fill until at least next week. Fleming says the gas rationing is “working quite well.”

On Sunday, Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun warned residents to prepare for more flooding, as the Nooksack River overtopped its dike system Sunday afternoon.

“Everybody that’s living on Sumas Prairie needs to have one eye open throughout the night,” Braun said.

The city has been forced to close the floodgates between the Sumas and Vedder Rivers.

In Whatcom County, the City of Sumas has sounded its flood alarm. Residents of that city were asked to voluntarily evacuate Saturday evening.

While the National Guard has been called in to fill and deploy sandbags in Whatcom County, Braun warned “sandbag walls are not going to stop the Nooksack.”

About 90 properties in Huntingdon Village were ordered to evacuate early Sunday morning.

Drivers are being warned about the dangers of pooling water. Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack closed at 5 p.m.

“Many roads have pooling water which can easily pull your vehicle off the road if you drive through it too fast. Take it slow and please stay away from areas impacted by floodwaters to allow emergency services personnel quicker access,” Braun said.

With files from Lisa Steacy and Martin MacMahon