Heavy rain continues to batter British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, leaving thousands without electricity and prompting flood warnings across the Fraser Valley and North Shore Mountains on Monday morning.
Rainfall and flood alerts
Environment Canada has issued orange‑level rainfall warnings for the western and central Fraser Valley—including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Skagit Valley—signaling a risk of severe impacts. Up to 80 mm of rain could fall in higher elevations. Yellow warnings, indicating hazardous but moderate impacts, are also active for Metro Vancouver, the Sea‑to‑Sky corridor, Vancouver Island, and the province’s central and north coast. Forecasters expect the heaviest rain during the day, tapering off this evening.
The B.C. River Forecast Centre has upgraded the Chilliwack River and its tributaries to a flood warning, as well as the North Shore Mountains. Rainfall rates exceed 10 mm per hour in the North Shore, and above‑freezing temperatures are melting snowpack at higher elevations, driving rapid river rises. The Seymour River has already reached a 50‑year flow level.
Officials warn that flooding of areas adjacent to rivers is likely. A flood warning remains in place for the Sumas River, while modelling suggests a lower likelihood of overflow from the nearby Nooksack River in Washington state, which contributed to last week’s flooding. Elsewhere in southern B.C. and on Vancouver Island, flood watches are in effect, and high‑streamflow advisories cover much of the coast, Haida Gwaii, and parts of the Interior.
Power outages
B.C. Hydro reports that thousands of customers are without power due to weather‑related outages. On the North Shore, approximately 16,000 customers lost electricity when high winds likely downed a wire; service was restored by 9 a.m. In the Fraser Valley, about 8,300 customers in Surrey, Richmond, Abbotsford and Langley remain without power as crews work to restore service.
Evacuations and road closures
B.C. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene cautioned that flood and landslide risks may increase as the storm moves through, noting that “we aren’t through this yet.” In Abbotsford, floodwaters have receded enough to lift or downgrade many evacuation alerts, though evacuation orders remain for 77 properties and alerts for 408 properties, including farms. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said 56 farms are under evacuation order, with 13 on alert after flood damage to barns and poultry.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit warned of short‑notice highway closures due to rockfall, debris flows, and washouts. Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon (Hope to Lytton) and Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet were closed overnight Sunday and remain closed Monday morning. Highway 1 through Abbotsford reopened with one eastbound lane and both westbound lanes. Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roads and monitor conditions.
For a complete list of road closures and reopenings, see DriveBC’s advisory page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which areas are under orange‑level rainfall warnings?
Orange‑level warnings cover parts of the west and central Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Skagit Valley, indicating a risk of severe weather and significant damage.
What is the current status of power outages?
Approximately 16,000 customers on the North Shore experienced an outage that was restored by 9 a.m., while about 8,300 customers in the Fraser Valley remain without power as crews work to restore service.
Which highways are currently closed because of the storm?
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon between Hope and Lytton and Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet are closed. Highway 1 through Abbotsford has reopened with limited lanes.
How are you preparing for the ongoing weather challenges in your area?
