Three homes evacuated as Fraser River surges toward its peak near Chilliwack

VANCOUVER – Three homes have been ordered evacuated near Chilliwack, B.C., as the rain and run-off-swollen Fraser River continues to rise.

City officials ordered the 12 residents to leave on Thursday evening when it appeared the river was about to spill over a berm at Carey Point, on the northeastern edge of Chilliwack, 100 kilometres east of Vancouver.

About 40 other homes in the same neighbourhood are threatened by rising waters and remain on evacuation alert, along with properties in low-lying areas of Hope, Abbotsford and Langley.

Forecasters predict the Fraser River should peak sometime Friday, but say levels will remain high through the weekend, and could rise again early next week if warm, wet weather continues in the Interior.

Environment Canada is calling for up to 30 millimetres of rain over the Shuswap, Thompson-Okanagn, Cariboo and Eastern Fraser Valley through Saturday, adding to possible flooding woes.

Hundreds of people around the province are ready to flee on short notice as flood warnings remain posted for Prince George downstream to the Fraser Canyon, the Shuswap River near Enderby, Shuswap Lake and South Thompson River — while flood watches and high streamflow advisories are in place for many other B.C. lakes and waterways.