Cars make their way through a water-covered street in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The Canadian Press
Severe flooding swept through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley on Friday. Overflow from Washington State’s Nooksack River drove the crisis. Water spilled into farms, roads, and neighbourhoods. Officials ordered evacuations across several areas. Schools closed as conditions worsened rapidly.
Highway 1 disappears under water
Floodwater swallowed Highway 1 late Thursday. The Trans-Canada Highway serves as a key national route. Water rose with alarming speed. Traffic crews watched the highway vanish within minutes. Drivers faced sudden danger during the surge.
Traffic worker John Raines described the chaos.
“It was chaos. It must’ve been 35 minutes before it went from like nothing on the highway until the highway was gone,” he said.
Raines said he struggled to escape on foot.
“It was scary how fast it came up the road. We were walking away while it chased us it felt like.”
Police manage rescues and evacuations
Police safely moved thousands of drivers off Highway 1. One driver ignored a closure sign. Officers later rescued that person by boat.
“That individual decided to go around a road closure sign and entered into a flooded area,” said Sgt. Paul Walker. “He had to be rescued off the roof of his car.”
An aerial photo taken on December 12, 2025, shows widespread floodwaters covering parts of Abbotsford, British Columbia. CTV
Search teams checked flooded homes. Officers patrolled evacuated zones by boat. They watched for safety concerns and theft.
“We have seen boats that have been launched from civilians,” Walker said. “It’s just making contact with those people.”
Hundreds of properties under evacuation
Emergency officials placed nearly 500 properties under evacuation orders. Water levels peaked Friday afternoon. Officials later confirmed a slow decline. Many residents still feared further flooding. Crews continued monitoring low-lying farmland.
Memories of 2021 floods resurface
Residents described deep anxiety across the region. Many remembered the devastating floods of 2021. That disaster caused historic damage across British Columbia. Families feared another repeat.
“A lot of people just have PTSD right now,” said Amanda Balaban.
Water reached her basement. Their dairy barn stayed dry. Officials ordered an evacuation. Her partner chose to stay behind.
“We’ve got to keep going here,” he said. “We’re going to stick around.”
Mayor criticizes federal response
Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens criticized Ottawa’s response. He said the federal government denied funding for flood protection plans.
“Enough is enough, we need action and we need action now,” Siemens said.
He said the city tried repeatedly to get attention.
“We’ve done everything,” he said, “and again, to be disappointed.”
Siemens said no federal officials contacted him earlier this week. Later, federal emergency officials confirmed outreach. They scheduled a call with the mayor.
More rain threatens region
Officials warned the emergency remains active. Weather forecasts show more rain ahead. The heaviest rainfall could arrive Sunday. Emergency crews remain on alert. Residents face continued uncertainty across the valley.
