Flood Waters Impact Alberta

June 21, 2013

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Flooding impacts Alberta — Mandatory Evacuations are the order of the day for many southern Alberta communities

CALGARY – Flood waters continue to impact Southern Alberta. Residents from several communities remain under a mandatory evacuation order. In Calgary, there are road closures, suspension of C-Train service in flood impacted areas, and the city remains in a state of emergency.

Environment Canada is calling for periods of rain today in Calgary with amounts totalling 10 to 15 mm. Winds from the north 30 km/h gusting to 50. The high for the day is forecast for 11c.

Flood Waters Hammer Alberta

Calgary Update

Communities on a mandatory evacuation order: Beltline, Bonnybrook, Bowness, Bridgeland Industrial Area, Chinatown/Eau Claire, Cliff Bungalow, Deer Run, Discovery Ridge, Downtown/East Village, Elbow Park, Erlton, Inglewood, Hillhurst, Mission, Montgomery, Quarry Park, Rideau, Riverbend, Riverdale, Roxboro, Stanley Park/Elboya, Sunnyside, Victoria Park, Westmount and Windsor Park.

In Calgary, the City Police have updated their list of evacuated neighbourhoods. (Visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/calgarypolice/sets/72157634239112911/)

In Calgary, the Police are also assisting the Calgary Zoo in the evacuation of some animals. The big cats, have been moved to cells in the city’s court house.

Mayor Nenshi is calling for people to avoid the downtown in Calgary today as there will be a number of road closures.

The Red Cross of Alberta is currently working to assess the needs of High River Evacuees in Dewinton Blackie, and Nanton. Corrie Butler, communications coordinator for the Red Cross says that the priority at this time is providing cots, hygiene kits and blankets to the shelters.

Butler says that they are working on setting up a family reunification connection which will operate chiefly through www.RedCross.ca but will be complemented with a call centre.

High River Update

As of 22:30MDT on June 20, High River remained under a state of emergency. TheEmergency Operations Centre remains working on a re-entry plan. Presently, residents cannot return to their homes.

Emergency services and Canadian Forces are evacuating stranded residents using helicopters and boats. River forecasters state that the river peaked at 19:29MDT. The weather forecast is calling for 15-30 more mm of rain to fall Friday.

Black Diamond Update

The evacuation order remains in effect. Please await further instructions regarding re-entering your homes at this time. Do not try to return to your homes without authorization by emergency personnel.

Concerns have arisen that some of the berms currently in place near the river may not remain intact. If the berms fail, flood waters will most likely come back into Town. Town staff and emergency personnel are currently working in attempts to secure those barriers until river levels recede further.

Erosion of the river banks has also exposed fibre-optic lines located near the river. We are working with those officials to try to ensure that those lines of communication are not compromised.

Please keep your radio’s tuned to the Eagle 100.9fm for updates, should the digital forms of communication fail, the Town Office will make attempts to communicate via other methods with the radio station to keep our residents informed.

Canmore Update

Eagle Terrace, Silvertip, and streets in Cougar Creek (Grizzly and Pioneer confirmed) will be without natural gas for several days. Residents are urged not to use creative heating methods like open stoves, open flames, or indoor use of camp stoves. Power throughout town will be intermittent.

The Town of Canmore and the Province of Alberta have nothing to do with any of the helicopters (military or otherwise) that are flying in the Canmore area. Any helicopters flying are for private operations.

Palliser is open. Residents of Palliser can return home.

Banff Update

The Town of Banff remains on standby. The river advisory has been upgraded to flood watch for the Bow River in the Town of Banff. Drinking water is not impacted and all water and wastewater systems are operating normally.

Bow Falls Road is closed. Sundance Road to the stables is closed. Recreation Grounds closed. Stay off the riverbanks. The forecast is for more rain through the night.

The Trans Canada Highway westbound from Norquay Road exit in Banff is open to Golden, BC. The eastbound highway to Canmore remains closed until further notice. No timeline is provided for eastbound reopening.