Evacuation alert issued for properties along Chilliwack River as rains ease across Lower Mainland
Posted March 20, 2026 7:38 am.
Last Updated March 20, 2026 6:32 pm.
The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) has issued an evacuation alert for properties along the Chilliwack River after an atmospheric river event brought heavy rains to the region.
Just under 40 homes along Sheldon Road and Wilson Road are under alert as of Friday morning, where residents have been told to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LIVE WEATHER COVERAGE!The flood risk along the river’s banks remains high due to surging floodwaters.
Robert Unrau, whose property is under the evacuation alert, was already lining his property with sandbags.
“The water went in two months ago,” said Unrau. “It outflanked the dike and came around and flooded all the neighbouring properties. It still has a lot of sand and stuff on it, so it had about a foot of water running through here.”
Unrau adds he is not worried about flooding, thanks to the FVRD’s quick response.
“They bolstered the groyne, and they extended the riprap up along the neighbour’s property, which was a real weak spot for the whole neighbourhood,” said Unrau.
Director for Electoral Area E, Patti Macahonic, says the state of emergency designation frees up funding to protect families and homes.
“It’s just really important…these are their livelihoods, their family homes, and I do everything I can and the community spirit….is just awesome,” said Macahonic.
Rains are forecasted to taper off Friday morning, according 1130 News Radio Meteorologist Michael Kuss.
“So this is the final little blast that we are seeing of the precipitation,” said Kuss.
While high winds and quickly passing showers will continue, he says the weather will be much “quieter” over the next few days.
Kuss says it’s not unusual to have storms this time of year.
“The duration is of note, for sure, because normally when we see a set up like this, it lasts about three days. This is five, five-and-a-half days where we’ve seen consistent precipitation and the pattern is super stagnant.”
A pair of mudslides caused problems in the region Thursday. Coquitlam Search and Rescue were called to the scene after a mudslide trapped residents along the Coquitlam River in their homes. Eight people were rescued, plus two dogs and a cat.
In a statement, Terry Cunha with Canadian Pacific Kansas City says the other mudslide, in Maple Ridge, sent debris onto the tracks of the West Coast Express. TransLink says trains cannot travel east of Maple Meadows Station.
“As a result, service will depart from Maple Meadows Station this morning [Mar 20] at the normally scheduled times,” according to a TransLink alert. “Extra buses will provide westbound service at the stations. Customers travelling from Mission City Station this morning should plan for an additional 20-30 minutes of travel time.
—With files from Cecilia Hua
