BC Flood Update
Published
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is applauding the federal government’s decision to lift the T4A enforcement moratorium, a key commitment from Budget 2025 aimed at curbing tax evasion linked to the Driver Inc. and PSB-model schemes. Beginning with the 2025 tax year, trucking
We are closely monitoring a developing flooding situation in southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington State, based on information shared by the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) and provincial and state authorities. This notice is intended to summarize what we know at this time and to remind carriers to actively monitor official channels for real-time updates.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Current Highway Situation – Lower Mainland
As of approximately 9:20 p.m. PST, the Province of British Columbia confirmed widespread closures on major highway routes leading to and from the Lower Mainland.
Key points at this time:
- All major routes out of the Lower Mainland are currently reported closed.
- Highway 1 westbound remains open for the time being, but conditions are subject to change without notice.
- There is no confirmed timeline for reopening affected corridors.
Carriers operating in, into, or out of the Lower Mainland should plan for significant disruption, potential detours, and delays. Dispatch and route planning should assume that conditions may change frequently and that some routes may not be available.
DriveBC remains the primary source of verified, real-time information on road closures, conditions, and travel advisories within British Columbia.
Border Operations – Sumas / Huntington
BCTA has advised that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has closed the Sumas/Huntingdon border crossing to southbound commercial traffic. At this time, northbound commercial traffic is expected to resume at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, subject to change as conditions evolve.
Carriers should:
- Confirm current status before dispatching equipment to the Sumas/Huntingdon crossing;
- Review alternative commercial ports of entry if conditions worsen or closures are extended;
- Ensure drivers have clear instructions and up-to-date routing information before departure.
For the most accurate picture, carriers are encouraged to monitor both Canadian and U.S. official border and wait-time information.
Weather System Overview
The current situation is driven by a strong, sustained frontal system forecast to bring approximately 80–120 mm of rainfall over a 36-hour window, with the heaviest impacts expected to taper off overnight.
Unlike the 2021 atmospheric river event:
- This rainfall is not coinciding with a heavy early-season mountain snowpack or unusually high alpine temperatures.
However, substantial rainfall over a short period still poses significant risks, including:
- Standing and flowing water on roadways;
- Localized flooding;
- Rockfalls and debris on or adjacent to travel lanes.
Based on BCTA’s communication with BC’s Ministry of Transportation, closures so far have primarily resulted from:
- Standing and running water on highways due to creeks overtopping their banks;
- Localized rockslides and debris impacts.
Because much of this is occurring overnight, a complete assessment of conditions will not be available until daylight allows for full inspection by highway crews and engineers.
Evacuation Alerts and Emergency Declarations
We understand that:
- The Sumas Prairie area in British Columbia has been placed on evacuation alert as a precautionary measure. This is not a mandatory evacuation order at this time but reflects heightened concern about potential flooding impacts.
- Washington State has declared a statewide state of emergency related to heavy rain and flooding. While mandatory evacuation orders along the Skagit River do not currently affect BC residents or BC highways directly, they underscore the broader regional nature of this event.
Carriers with operations along the Interstate 5 corridor north of Seattle should closely monitor Washington State’s real-time travel information and be prepared for short-notice closures, detours, or operational restrictions.
Operational Guidance for Carriers
Until conditions stabilize and authorities are able to provide more definitive reopening timelines, carriers operating in southwest BC and northwest Washington State should consider the following measures:
- Check provincial highway status before every dispatch:
- Do not rely on earlier reports or assumptions; conditions can change rapidly.
- Confirm border conditions prior to routing via Sumas/Huntingdon:
- Verify that commercial traffic is being accepted in the direction of travel (northbound or southbound).
- Build flexibility into schedules:
- Avoid tight, “just-in-time” windows on affected corridors and plan for delays or re-routing.
- Communicate clearly with drivers:
- Ensure drivers understand current closures and alerts;
- Reinforce that they must not bypass barriers, drive through standing water, or ignore instructions from emergency personnel or highway authorities.
- Coordinate with customers:
- Where necessary, advise shippers and receivers of likely delays and potential changes to delivery or pick-up times.
We will continue to monitor information from BCTA, provincial agencies, and U.S. authorities. Additional updates will be shared as verified information becomes available in the coming hours and days.
Monitoring Resources (Hyperlinks)
Members and carriers are strongly encouraged to monitor the following official channels for current information:
- British Columbia – Provincial highway conditions and closures (DriveBC) DriveBC+1
- British Columbia – DriveBC bulletins and advisories DriveBC
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) – Border wait times (including Abbotsford–Huntingdon / Sumas) Canada Border Services Agency
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Border Wait Times (including Sumas Port of Entry) Border Wait Times+1
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) – Real-time travel map and highway alerts WSDOT+2WSDOT+2
- WSDOT – Border crossings and northbound border wait-time information (including Sumas) WSDOT+1
We are closely monitoring a developing flooding situation in southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington State, based on information shared by the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) and provincial and state authorities. This notice is intended to summarize what we know at this time and to remind carriers to actively monitor official channels for real-time updates.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Current Highway Situation – Lower Mainland
As of approximately 9:20 p.m. PST, the Province of British Columbia confirmed widespread closures on major highway routes leading to and from the Lower Mainland.
Key points at this time:
- All major routes out of the Lower Mainland are currently reported closed.
- Highway 1 westbound remains open for the time being, but conditions are subject to change without notice.
- There is no confirmed timeline for reopening affected corridors.
Carriers operating in, into, or out of the Lower Mainland should plan for significant disruption, potential detours, and delays. Dispatch and route planning should assume that conditions may change frequently and that some routes may not be available.
DriveBC remains the primary source of verified, real-time information on road closures, conditions, and travel advisories within British Columbia.
Border Operations – Sumas / Huntington
BCTA has advised that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has closed the Sumas/Huntingdon border crossing to southbound commercial traffic. At this time, northbound commercial traffic is expected to resume at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, subject to change as conditions evolve.
Carriers should:
- Confirm current status before dispatching equipment to the Sumas/Huntingdon crossing;
- Review alternative commercial ports of entry if conditions worsen or closures are extended;
- Ensure drivers have clear instructions and up-to-date routing information before departure.
For the most accurate picture, carriers are encouraged to monitor both Canadian and U.S. official border and wait-time information.
Weather System Overview
The current situation is driven by a strong, sustained frontal system forecast to bring approximately 80–120 mm of rainfall over a 36-hour window, with the heaviest impacts expected to taper off overnight.
Unlike the 2021 atmospheric river event:
- This rainfall is not coinciding with a heavy early-season mountain snowpack or unusually high alpine temperatures.
However, substantial rainfall over a short period still poses significant risks, including:
- Standing and flowing water on roadways;
- Localized flooding;
- Rockfalls and debris on or adjacent to travel lanes.
Based on BCTA’s communication with BC’s Ministry of Transportation, closures so far have primarily resulted from:
- Standing and running water on highways due to creeks overtopping their banks;
- Localized rockslides and debris impacts.
Because much of this is occurring overnight, a complete assessment of conditions will not be available until daylight allows for full inspection by highway crews and engineers.
Evacuation Alerts and Emergency Declarations
We understand that:
- The Sumas Prairie area in British Columbia has been placed on evacuation alert as a precautionary measure. This is not a mandatory evacuation order at this time but reflects heightened concern about potential flooding impacts.
- Washington State has declared a statewide state of emergency related to heavy rain and flooding. While mandatory evacuation orders along the Skagit River do not currently affect BC residents or BC highways directly, they underscore the broader regional nature of this event.
Carriers with operations along the Interstate 5 corridor north of Seattle should closely monitor Washington State’s real-time travel information and be prepared for short-notice closures, detours, or operational restrictions.
Operational Guidance for Carriers
Until conditions stabilize and authorities are able to provide more definitive reopening timelines, carriers operating in southwest BC and northwest Washington State should consider the following measures:
- Check provincial highway status before every dispatch:
- Do not rely on earlier reports or assumptions; conditions can change rapidly.
- Confirm border conditions prior to routing via Sumas/Huntingdon:
- Verify that commercial traffic is being accepted in the direction of travel (northbound or southbound).
- Build flexibility into schedules:
- Avoid tight, “just-in-time” windows on affected corridors and plan for delays or re-routing.
- Communicate clearly with drivers:
- Ensure drivers understand current closures and alerts;
- Reinforce that they must not bypass barriers, drive through standing water, or ignore instructions from emergency personnel or highway authorities.
- Coordinate with customers:
- Where necessary, advise shippers and receivers of likely delays and potential changes to delivery or pick-up times.
We will continue to monitor information from BCTA, provincial agencies, and U.S. authorities. Additional updates will be shared as verified information becomes available in the coming hours and days.
Monitoring Resources (Hyperlinks)
Members and carriers are strongly encouraged to monitor the following official channels for current information:
- British Columbia – Provincial highway conditions and closures (DriveBC) DriveBC+1
- British Columbia – DriveBC bulletins and advisories DriveBC
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) – Border wait times (including Abbotsford–Huntingdon / Sumas) Canada Border Services Agency
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Border Wait Times (including Sumas Port of Entry) Border Wait Times+1
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) – Real-time travel map and highway alerts WSDOT+2WSDOT+2
- WSDOT – Border crossings and northbound border wait-time information (including Sumas) WSDOT+1