Abbotsford says floodwaters expected to peak by Friday morning
Posted December 10, 2025 5:17 pm.
Last Updated December 11, 2025 7:35 pm.
An atmospheric river soaking B.C.’s south coast Wednesday has forced evacuation alerts and orders for multiple Fraser Valley properties.
In an update Thursday evening around 6:30 p.m., the City of Abbotsford said floodwaters in Sumas Prairie and Huntingdon Village are expected to peak within the next 12 hours.
“Water levels on the Abbotsford side of the border continue to rise and based on current modelling and data from the 1990 flood event, water is anticipated to
reach Highway 1 late this evening or early tomorrow morning,” it said.
“The Emergency Operations Centre is continuously monitoring available data and modelling and remains in constant communication with Whatcom County and the Province of BC. While the River Forecast at North Cedarville shows the Nooksack River has peaked and levels are now dropping, overflow waters are still flowing towards Abbotsford.”
Evacuation alerts had been issued for properties in Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Around 11 p.m., the city declared a state of local emergency and ordered 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West to evacuate.
Evacuation alerts were also issued for Sumas Prairie East and remain in place for the rest of Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village.
The city says residents can check to see if their properties are impacted on an interactive map showing the active evacuation alerts and orders.
“This direction follows extensive conversations with the Province of BC and Whatcom County and is based on the best modelling data available at this time, which predicts the Nooksack River to crest at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s major flood stage. Flood water is expected to arrive at the border in the early hours of Thursday morning,” the city said previously.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!City staff encouraged residents in other affected areas to plan ahead in case they are ordered to leave.
The city has organized a reception centre at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre at 2499 McMillan Road to provide shelter and assistance for residents affected by the orders.
“We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours.”
Farmers concerned about their livestock are encouraged to reach the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture or industry associations.
The 4 p.m. city statement predicted that the atmospheric river weather event will likely not be as damaging as the 2021 incident.
However, according to provincial weather modelling, the aftermath is expected to be worse than the flooding in 2020.
The Nooksack River poses one of many risks to property owners in the affected areas.
Abbotsford officials say they will stay in contact with their counterparts in Washington state’s Whatcom County to monitor the water levels of the Nooksack River.
Mayor Ross Siemens says he is in touch with provincial government
Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens says that the city and emergency staff are well prepared.
“I want to assure you that we are in a place a much better place than we were in 2020-21,” he said.
“Residents should plan to stay informed by following updates at abbotsford.ca, and if they are in an evacuation area, to prepare a grab-and-go bag,” Abbotsford’s Fire Chief Eric Peterson added.
Both say that the local officials are in touch with the provincial Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
The city also announced that Cole Road at the dike, between Wellsline Road and Vye Road, will be closed.
On Thursday evening, the Abbotsford Police Department announced the following road closures:
- Vye Road is closed in both directions from Whatcom Road to Sumas Way
- Angus Campbell Road is closed in both directions from Boundary to South Parallel
- 2nd Avenue is closed east of B Street
Additionally, city staff ask the public to let officials know about clogged storm drains, localized flooding, flooded roadways, or overflowing ditches.
Residents are urged to stay updated on the developing situation and contact the city at 604-853-5485 or 604-864-5552.
