Floodwaters cross into Abbotsford and Evacuation Orders expanded

• 82 properties in Huntingdon Village, up to 2nd Ave and Sumas Way 
• 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West

View the interactive map showing the active evacuation alerts and orders. Residents can use the search function to confirm whether their property is impacted. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Services, Abbotsford Police Department and others were out throughout the night knocking on doors and advising residents with Evacuation Orders.

Evacuation Area Map (PDF) 

• Gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation.  
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available.
• Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
• Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Close gates (latch) but do not lock.
• Follow main roads out of the evacuation area and register at the Reception Centre at Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road).
  • We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours.

• 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie East and Sumas Prairie West 

View the interactive map showing the active evacuation alerts and orders. Residents can use the search function to confirm whether their property is impacted.

Evacuation Area Map (PDF)

• Evacuation Alert for Clayburn Village has been lifted 

• Declaration of State of Local Emergency - expires December 24, 2025

• Sand and sandbags are available at Albert Dyck Park at 31515 Walmsley Avenue (please bring your own shovel).

•  The Reception Centre will remain open to provide immediate shelter and assistance for residents impacted by these orders. 
• We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours.

• Dairy and poultry producers to reach out to their industry association and Ministry of Agriculture and Foods (AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca) or the AgriService BC telephone line at 1-888-221-7141 for available support.

• Staff at the Emergency Operations Centre continue to actively monitor river levels, dikes and road conditions closely. Crews are out in the community clearing catch basins and monitoring local conditions. If you notice a clogged storm drain, localized flooding, flooding roadways or overflowing ditches, please report it by calling 604-853-5485 during the day or 604-864-5552 after hours, or by using the Abbotsford app.
• The City of Abbotsford will continue to provide updates to residents on our website and on City social media channels. 
• Road closure information can be found on this webpage and at www.abbotsford.ca/roadclosures. 
   

• Clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and debris to help prevent water buildup
• Avoid driving across water-covered roads or bridges
• Sand and sandbags are available outside the City of Abbotsford Public Works Yard at 31739 King Road (please bring your own shovel)
• Prepare a Grab-and-Go kit

The City of Abbotsford has declared a State of Local Emergency and has issued an evacuation order for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West due to risk of flooding. Residents in the affected area must leave immediately. Evacuation Alerts have also been issued for Sumas Prairie East and remain in place for the rest of Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village.

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 (Dec 11).

An interactive map showing the active evacuation alerts and orders is available on this webpage. Residents can use the search function to confirm whether their property is impacted. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Abbotsford Police Department and others are in the evacuation area advising properties impacted by the order to ensure they are informed and are supporting the evacuation.

A Reception Centre has been established at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road) to provide immediate shelter and assistance for residents impacted by these orders. We ask that all evacuated residents check in with the Reception Centre either in person or online within 24 hours.

What you should do if you need to evacuate:

• Gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation.  
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available.
• Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
• Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Close gates (latch) but do not lock.
• Follow main roads out of the evacuation area and register at the Reception Centre at Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road).

Farmers under Evacuation Order who are concerned about their livestock can reach out to their Industry associations for support as they are in contact with the Ministry of Agriculture.

At 7:15 p.m. this evening, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit issued a travel advisory for the Fraser Valley asking people to avoid unnecessary travel and advising that Highway 1 and other provincial roadways could be closed with little or no notice. Highway 11 at the Sumas border crossing is currently closed to commercial traffic, allowing local traffic only.

Staff at the Emergency Operations Centre continue to actively monitor river levels, dikes and road conditions closely. Crews are out in the community clearing catch basins and monitoring local conditions. If you notice a clogged storm drain, localized flooding, flooding roadways or overflowing ditches, please report it by calling 604-853-5485 during the day or 604-864-5552 after hours, or by using the Abbotsford app.

The City of Abbotsford will continue to provide updates to residents at www.abbotsford.ca and on City social media channels. Road closure information can be found at www.abbotsford.ca/roadclosures. 

Update: Dairy and poultry producers can also reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food with general questions at af.em@gov.bc.ca. 

Evacuation Area Map

The City of Abbotsford is issuing evacuation alerts for properties in Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village. 

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This follows a Flood Warning issued earlier today by the BC River Forecast Centre and further conversations with the Province of BC based on their modelling information which shows that the flooding may be more than what was seen in 2020 but not as significant as the 2021 event.

The City of Abbotsford remains in contact with Whatcom County. The Nooksack River is expected to overtop its banks this afternoon and overflow water will take approximately 7 hours to cross the Canada/U.S.A. border based on past experience. 

The most potentially impacted properties will receive hand-delivered notices from Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Abbotsford Police Department and others.

Residents in Sumas Prairie West and Clayburn Village are encouraged to plan ahead should they need to evacuate. 

Crews are actively monitoring river levels, dikes and road conditions closely. Crews will be closing Cole Road at the dike, between Wellsline Road and Vye Road later this evening.

Be prepared:

• Clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and debris to help prevent water buildup
• Avoid driving across water-covered roads or bridges
• Sand and sandbags are available outside the City of Abbotsford Public Works Yard at 31739 King Road (please bring your own shovel)
• Prepare a Grab-and-Go kit

Crews are out in the community clearing catch basins and monitoring local conditions. If you notice a clogged storm drain, localized flooding, flooding roadways or overflowing ditches, please report it by calling 604-853-5485 during the day or 604-864-5552 after hours, or by using the Abbotsford app.

Should conditions change, the City of Abbotsford will provide updates to residents at www.abbotsford.ca and on City social media channels. Road closure information can be found at www.abbotsford.ca/roadclosures. 

The current heavy rainfall has resulted in localized flooding in low-lying areas in Abbotsford. The BC River Forecast Centre has recently upgraded their advisory to a Flood Warning for the Fraser Valley as rain is expected to continue throughout the day.

The City of Abbotsford is in contact with and receiving regular updates from Whatcom County on the status of the Nooksack River. At this time this weather event is expected to be similar to flooding experienced during the February 2020 Nooksack overflow. Information about  water levels can be found at the Whatcom County's Forecasts & Current River Conditions website and River Forecast at North Cedarville.

Should the Nooksack River overtop its banks, we expect overland flow from the U.S.A could impact Vye, Boundary and Angus Campbell roads at various locations near the Canada/U.S.A. border. Historically, it has taken approximately 7 hours for the water to reach Abbotsford.

The City of Abbotsford has established an Emergency Operations Centre to continue monitoring the river levels, snowmelt and dikes closely and ensure all possible support is in place should it be required. We are also in contact with the Province of BC as they provide modeling of the Fraser River which helps to inform how Barrowtown Pump Station is operated. City staff are stationed 24/7 at Barrowtown and throughout the community providing around-the-clock support. We are preparing to close roads at low spots later today. 

Roads closed due to flooding:

• Clayburn Road between Highway 11 and Wright Street
• Gladwin Road between King Road and Huntingdon Road 

Be aware:

• Rivers and creeks may rise quickly over the next few days.
• Heavy rainfall can cause pooling water, erosion, and unstable riverbanks.
• Avoid walking near river edges, ditches, or fast-moving water.

Be prepared:

• Stay away from river and stream banks.
• Clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and debris to help prevent water buildup.
• Avoid driving across water-covered roads or bridges.
• Sand and sandbags are available outside the City of Abbotsford Public Works Yard at 31739 King Road, Abbotsford

Crews are out in the community clearing catch basins and monitoring local conditions. If you notice a clogged storm drain, localized flooding, flooding roadways or overflowing ditches, please report it by calling 604-853-5485 during the day or 604-864-5552 after hours, or by using the Abbotsford app.

Should conditions change, the City of Abbotsford will provide updates to residents on this webpage and on City social media channels. Road closure information can be found at www.abbotsford.ca/roadclosures.

• 2nd Avenue is closed at B Street in all directions
• Angus Campbell Road is closed outbound from Vye Road
• Bateman Road between Wright Street and Highway 11 
• Boundary Road is closed between 2nd Avenue and Whatcom Road
• Boundary Road between Whatcom and Angus Campbell
• Clayburn Road is closed between Highway 11 and Wright Street
• Gladwin Road between King Road and Huntingdon Road
• Lamson South of Vye Road

• Hougan Park 
• MacDonald Park 
• McKay Creek Park 
• Sumas river dike trails from McKay Creek through McDonald Park are closed 
• Sumas river dike trails up to North Parallel Road near Barrowtown Pump Station are closed