Major Highway Closures Remain as Flooding and Storm Impacts Continue

December 13 2025 - Major transportation routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior remain closed or disrupted as crews continue repair work following heavy rainfall and flooding linked to an atmospheric river.

The most significant impacts continue on Highway 1 through Abbotsford and Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton, both of which remain closed as of Friday.

Highway 3: Hope to Princeton Still Closed

Highway 3 remains closed in both directions between Hope and Princeton, with no estimated time of reopening.

According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and DriveBC, crews are actively working at 23 damaged sites along the corridor. Repairs include slope stabilization, culvert repairs, debris removal, and shoulder restoration, with engineering assessments ongoing.

Checkpoints remain in place west of Princeton, where vehicles are being stopped.

The ministry has released images showing crews and heavy equipment working at multiple locations along Highway 3, underscoring the extent of the damage and the scale of the response.

Environment Canada’s high-elevation forecast for the Hope–Princeton corridor calls for windy conditions and a 60 per cent chance of showers through Sunday, conditions that could slow repair efforts.

Highway 1: Abbotsford Remains Impassable

Highway 1 also remains closed in both directions through Abbotsford, cutting off the primary east–west route through the Fraser Valley.

The City of Abbotsford says there is currently no way through the city to Chilliwack or eastern B.C., noting that nearby side roads through the Sumas Prairie are also flooded and closed.

Drivers are being urged not to rely on navigation apps, which have shown inaccurate routing during the flooding.

City officials reported Friday morning that floodwaters in parts of Abbotsford were gradually receding, though cross-border flows from the Nooksack River in Washington State continue to affect low-lying areas.

Highway 7 and Alternate Routes

With Highway 1 closed, drivers may look to alternate routes such as Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway) between Mission and Hope. A section of Highway 7 near Hope was closed earlier this week due to rockslides and landslides, before reopening to traffic. The route is currently serving as a key detour, though officials caution that conditions remain dynamic and closures or restrictions could occur again.

Motorists are urged to check DriveBC for the latest conditions before travelling.

Other major routes, including the Coquihalla Highway, have also been affected by the storm system, reinforcing warnings that non-essential travel between the Lower Mainland and the Interior should be postponed.

Nooksack River and Weather Outlook

Flooding in the Fraser Valley continues to be influenced by high water levels on the Nooksack River in Washington State. While water levels have been receding, U.S. officials warn the risk is not over.

The U.S. National Weather Service in Seattle says another strong atmospheric river is expected to impact western Washington beginning late Sunday and continuing into mid-week. With soils saturated and rivers still elevated, officials warn that some rivers may not drop below flood stage before the next round of rain begins, raising the potential for renewed flooding, landslides, and debris flows.