Flooding in B.C.'s Fraser Valley expected to peak Friday, with more rain on the way
CBC
Flooding in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, caused by overflow from the Nooksack River in Washington state, is expected to reach its peak Friday, as highways and some schools remain closed and residents assess the damage.
Here is the latest:
The B.C. River Forecast Centre still has a flood warning in place for the Sumas River, including spillover from the Nooksack River.
But it has ended a flood warning for the lower Fraser River, including its tributaries in areas around Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and east through Manning Park.
The centre also ended a flood warning for Similkameen River tributaries including headwater tributaries at and upstream of Princeton and the Tulameen River.
Officials say water levels in Washington state were already receding, but floodwaters being pushed north into B.C. and the Sumas Prairie area were expected to keep rising overnight and peak sometime Friday morning.
Environment Canada has ended rainfall warnings but issued a special weather statement, saying more rainfall is coming “for the already saturated Fraser Valley.”
It says there will be relatively light rain in the region Friday before another system moves into the area Saturday night, “followed by a potentially significant push of moisture Monday and into early next week.”
The B.C. River Forecast Centre says a few days of lighter rain could help create room in many of B.C.’s waterways that are already at or near flooding levels.
Meanwhile, officials in places like Abbotsford are urging residents to stay away from flood waters and be mindful of road closures.
The Transportation Ministry says it is beginning to assess the damage left behind from the flooding.
It says Highway 3 connecting Hope to Alberta has been "severely undermined" and is closed. About 23 sites along that roadway have suffered damage from rockfalls, debris and culvert undermining.
B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said at a provincial news conference on Friday that 68 farms are included in evacuation orders, while 98 were on evacuation alert.
She confirmed that "a couple" of poultry barns were lost overnight due to flooding, some other animals had to be moved and the province's plant, animal health centre, which tests for things like avian flu was flooded and needs to close for December.
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