Southern Alberta braces for flooding
Posted May 27, 2011 8:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Residents across much of southern Alberta are arming themselves with sandbags as the rain continues and swollen rivers threaten to spill over their banks.
A state of emergency has been declared in High River and people in many other low-lying areas are scrambling to keep rivers and streams at bay.
Up to 65mm of rain has fallen in the mountains and foothills since Thursday.
660News Meteorologist David Spence says there is still a rainfall warning in effect. He says up to 50mm of rain will fall in parts of the foothills.
High River has issued a mandatory evacuation notice in Wallaceville, forcing residents from as many as 80 homes to seek shelter at the local high school.
Tawndra Calhoun with the Town of Wallaceville tells 660News she was up all night monitoring the Highwood River and describes its flow.
“To an average person just looking at the river, it looks high and it looks really fast,” she says. “That’s in certain areas. In other areas it’s not as bad, but if you’re standing there looking at the train bridge, it’s looking pretty scary right about now.”
She says the town was forced to issue the mandatory evacuation notice.
“The flood tubes that were keeping the river flow manageable gave way and the water is now flowing toward 1A Street, towards the Willow’s [Garden] Apartments,” she says. “They’ve estimated the water levels are currently at six to eight inches.”
Residents in the Willow’s Garden Apartments are under a voluntary evacuation order, but Calhoun says they are strongly recommending people leave their homes.
The Town of Okotoks is experiencing flooding along the Sheep River and town officials have closed the Sheep River Park and trails along the water.
Nancy Weigel with the Town of Okotoks tells 660News homes in the area are not in danger.
“There are very few homes that are adjacent to the Sheep River,” she says. “They are experiencing some very low level flooding, but at this point in time there is no danger for them.”
Alberta Environment has also issued flood watch warnings for the Bow River at Hidden Valley and for Fish Creek.
There are reports of flooding on roads in Calgary, including on Deerfoot Trail and Highway 22X, as well as in Millarville, where water has crept onto the race track.
For more information click here. http://environment.alberta.ca/01547.html
