Evacuation alert for Sheldon Road residents in the Chilliwack River Valley

Evacuation alert for Sheldon Road residents in the Chilliwack River Valley

Published 10:32 am Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Residents of Sheldon Road in the Chilliwack River Valley were advised to get prepared to leave on short notice.

The Fraser Valley Regional District issued an “evacuation alert” for Electoral Area E – Sheldon Road and Osborne Road on Monday afternoon (Dec. 15.)

An update from FVRD officials on Tuesday morning mentioned the bank damage already seen along the Chilliwack River near Sheldon Road.

“Between 2 p.m. this afternoon and midnight tonight on Dec. 16, 45 millimetres of rainfall is expected at this location,” FVRD said.

The intense rainfall and snow melt is likely to increase flows in the Chilliwack River.

“Previous high flows have damaged bank protection along the Chilliwack River near Sheldon Road.

“As a result of these circumstances, FVRD is advising residents to be prepared to evacuate if an Evacuation Order is issued.”

To reduce the risk of flooding and erosion in that area, FVRD is implementing temporary protection works.

“Equipment and trucks will be active in the area. Residents are encourage to stay away from this area for their own safety and to avoid impeding the works.”

The FVRD EOC is actively monitoring conditions. Should an Evacuation Order be necessary, residents will be alerted through our Alertable notification system.

The alert went out because of the “potential danger to life and safety” from the latest atmospheric river event with high river flows in the Chilliwack River Valley.

“People must be ready to leave the Evacuation Alert area on short notice and an Evacuation Order Area immediately,” the alert notice.

It was in response to the B.C. River Forecast Centre upgrading the Chilliwack River to a flood warning, meaning that river levels have topped their banks or will do so soon, and that flooding of areas adjacent was imminent.

“The atmospheric river is posing an existing or imminent threat to people and property within the area known as Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) Electoral Area E.

“The FVRD has declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) for FVRD Electoral Area E to support prompt coordination of action or special regulation of persons or property to protect the health, safety or well-being of persons or the safety of property or objects or sites of heritage value.”

The first notification from FVRD was on Dec. 10, when they issued an Evacuation Order and Alert for the area of Electoral Area E – Wilson Road due to flooding.

“Both the Evacuation Order and Alert remain in place,” according to staff.

The FVRD Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) continues to operate, with staff responding and working with partner agencies to address a variety of issues throughout the region.

“Residents are reminded to stay away from high-risk areas, such as landslides, dikes, and flooded areas. Not only are the dangers in these areas extremely high, but when residents enter these areas, it puts everyone at risk, including our first responders.”

See fvrd.ca/eoc for the latest information and details.

Resources available to FVRD residents include sand and sandbags are available for impacted residents at the following locations: Chilliwack Lake Road Fire Hall, Hunter Creek Exit, and Laidlaw Harrison Mills.

For info on Emergency Support Services, go to https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

If residents need assistance or wish to report a local incident, call the FVRD EOC Public Information Line at 778-704-0400.

To stay up to date on current emergencies in B.C., go to https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

The alert applies to:

48962 Sheldon Road

48952 Sheldon Road

48942 Sheldon Road

1 -48922 Sheldon Road

48902 Sheldon Road

48882 Sheldon Road

48860 Sheldon Road

48850 Sheldon Road

4210 Osborne Road