in 1948, the second largest fraser river flood of record occurred. by this time, the lower fraser valley was a highly developed agricultural area, with commercial and industrial development and the beginnings of residential development. as well, two transcontinental rail lines and the trans-canada highway had been built through the valley, and the province's major airport had been established in richmond. personal and financial impact was much greater than in 1894. thousands of people were displaced and infrastructure, including bridges and roads, was significantly damaged. based on the 2008 nhc estimates of a 200-year daily maximum flow, , the 1948 flood was close to a 200-year event. the flood of 1948 caused greater damage than the 1894 flood because of "intensive development" on the flood plain. at the height of the 1948 flood, stood under water. dykes broke at agassiz, chiliwack, nicomen island, glen valley and matsqui. by the time the flood waters receded a month later, 16,000 people had been evacuated, damages totalled $20 million.