A chilling sense of déjà vu is gripping southwestern British Columbia. An atmospheric river has descended, unleashing torrential rains and triggering fears of a repeat of the catastrophic November 2021 storms – a disaster that claimed six lives and drowned hundreds of thousands of farm animals.
The situation escalated rapidly late Wednesday as Abbotsford declared a state of local emergency. Hundreds of properties were immediately placed under evacuation order, and the provincial government took the drastic step of closing all major highways connecting the Lower Mainland to the Interior. The reasons were stark: widespread flooding, treacherous falling rock and debris, and the ever-present threat of avalanches.
Early Thursday morning, a grim reality settled over the Sumas Prairie. Emergency crews moved door-to-door, delivering urgent evacuation notices to 371 properties in the west. Residents, many still haunted by memories of 2021, began preparing to leave, while farmers scrambled to secure their livestock. The air was thick with anxiety.
The looming threat isn’t solely a local concern. The Nooksack River in Washington State, already nearing flood stage, is poised to overflow. Experts predict the floodwaters will reach the border by Thursday morning, adding to the already perilous situation in Abbotsford. Residents watched nervously as river levels climbed throughout the night.
Despite the evacuation orders, a quiet resilience was visible in Sumas Prairie. Christmas lights flickered in the puddles, illuminating a scene of determined normalcy as cows were milked before dawn. Many residents, defying the orders, remained at their homes, having cautiously moved vehicles to higher ground.
Beyond Abbotsford, transportation networks are in chaos. The Coquihalla Highway remains impassable due to flooding near Sowaqua, and Highway 1 eastbound is closed between Bridal Falls and Hope. While sections of Highway 1 and 7 have partially reopened, significant closures persist, effectively isolating communities. Travel is being discouraged except for essential purposes.
The Sumas border crossing is closed to commercial traffic, and authorities are urging drivers to avoid Highway 11 due to flooding in Washington state. Even Amtrak service between Seattle and Vancouver has been suspended, highlighting the widespread disruption.
A brief respite arrived Thursday morning with the lifting of rainfall warnings for the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver. However, this reprieve is expected to be short-lived, with more rain forecast to return Thursday night and continue through the weekend, extending the period of heightened risk.
Evacuation alerts have also been issued for residents near Manning Park, as floodwaters threaten tributaries of the Similkameen River. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging residents of Eastgate to prepare for potential evacuation. The entire region holds its breath, bracing for what the coming days may bring.
The current situation is a stark reminder of the devastating power of nature and the vulnerability of communities in the path of atmospheric rivers. The memories of 2021 are fresh, and the region is bracing for another potential crisis, hoping to mitigate the damage and protect lives.
