Monday December 15, 2025 | VANCOUVER, BC [Posted at 2 pm | Updated 2:21 & 2:35 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Heavy rainfall has arrived today in the Fraser Valley area, as forecasted.
In that area, presently there are 100 properties on evacuation order and 1,200 on evacuation alert — more info available at EmergencyInfoBC.ca .
Six poultry farms have been directly impacted by flooding.
Samples testing for avian flu and similar services normally provided at the animal testing centre in Abbotsford are being shipped to other provinces for now.
Over 30,000 sandbags have been provided by the BC government to communities in need, said Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene today. Sandbag machines have been provided where necessary.
Highways update:
Highways 1 and 99 reopened around noon today (after being closed overnight last night as a precaution against potential flooding and mudslides).
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon still has a wind warning advisory and may close today on short notice.
Be prepared:
Kelly Green, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Solutions, reminds people to have an on-site emergency kit as well as individual grab and go bags if needing to leave the property.
“This is a dynamic and evolving situation and the risks are real,” she said today.
There is now a broader range of recipients for disaster response funding, said Greene today. That’s due in part to an online application process and well as broadening the eligibility criteria for applying for financial assistance and increasing the available limit.
Greene addressed media from the BC government’s Vancouver office, along with Agriculture and Food Minister, and representatives from the BC government’s water management branch, and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
Waiting on the federal government:
Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham said she met today with the federal Agriculture minister who apparently agrees that the federal government should “be at the table” in terms of dealing with flood mitigation issues that also require discussions with Washington State as to controlling overflow of the Nooksack River which spills over into BC.
It’s been four years since the November 2021 atmospheric river flooding, and while plans have been developed, no funding has been provided for the necessary work. The blame is currently being laid at the feet of the federal government but no indication as to why there hasn’t been a harder push from the BC government toward to federal levels.
Minister Greene said that the assessment of necessary work includes pumping capabilities, diking and temporary water storage. “Work is underway. This area is critical to BC and Canada’s economy as well as agriculture. It’s a key area with transportation networks, critical infrastructure and more,” she told media today.
Greene says it’s important to “look after this area and reduce risks for everybody there”.
The provincial government could potentially considered buying out the Sumas area farms that are likely to always be susceptible to flooding instead of continually investing in remediation, But that agriculture region is a critical asset for reliable food supply in BC and Canada so intentionally disrupting it is not likely in the cards.
Related weather news:
There are increased risks for landslides in the North Shore area, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. There are recent reports of a rock slide along Highway 20, said Minister Greene at 1 pm today.
The ground is saturated in many areas and the rivers are full, Greene advised. She said that will increase the potential for more flooding and land slides. “Avoid river banks and waterways. The water is very high and the banks may not be stable,” the Emergency Management minister said today.
Weather forecast details were provided by Connie Chapman of the BC Water Management Branch.
Hope, Chillwack and Abbotsford areas can expect more rain tomorrow.
A similar rainfall warning for south Vancouver Island is peaking this afternoon.
Temperatures at higher elevations may results in precipitation in the form of show instead of rain.
===== RELATED:
- Dec 14: precautionary overnight closures on Hwy 1 & Hwy 99 (December 14, 2025)
- Environment Canada weather advisories are now colour-coded (November 29, 2025)
- TRAFFIC NEWS
- Traffic updates at DriveBC.ca
- Flood warning and watches in the Fraser Valley