More rain forecast for Fraser Valley as Abbotsford floodwaters begin to recede

Environment Canada is warning of more rain for the Fraser Valley this weekend and into early next week, even as floodwaters that inundated parts of Abbotsford earlier this week begin to recede.

In a special weather statement issued early Saturday morning, the weather agency said the already saturated region could see another system move in overnight and persist through Sunday.

This will be followed by a “potentially significant push of moisture” starting Monday, it said. 

While rainfall amounts remain uncertain, Environment Canada says warnings will be issued if conditions worsen.

The agency is also cautioning that additional rainfall could increase the risk of landslides, as rainfall may destabilize slopes.

Waters from the Nooksack River in Washington state, which overflowed Thursday, continued to flow across the border Friday, but the City of Abbotsford says the waters have peaked and are gradually dropping.

However, overflow water from the Nooksack River in Washington state continues to cross the border, though officials say the volume is slowly decreasing.

The city says floodgates are open at the Barrowtown pump station, sending floodwaters out of the Sumas River and into the Fraser River.

More than 450 properties in Abbotsford remain under evacuation order and over 1,000 are on alert.

Rapid damage assessments are now underway with support from city staff and Canada Task Force 1. The city says the inspections will determine whether homes are safe to re-enter or if additional work is required before residents can return.

Each assessed home will be marked with a placard indicating whether it is safe to occupy and providing information on where residents can seek further support. The city says the assessments are a critical step in deciding when evacuation orders can be lifted.

The City of Chilliwack says wet weather forecasted to begin Sunday by Environment Canada will swell local rivers, which may cause localized flooding, but flows are expected to be less severe than those earlier in the week. 

The flooding that has filled fields and closed Highway 1 and the Sumas border crossing is reminiscent of floods in 2021 that were also caused by overflows from the Nooksack River.

Major transportation routes through the Fraser Valley remain shut.