Tornado watches have ended in Alberta
Posted Jun 9, 2012 2:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tornado watches issued for areas in central and northern Alberta have ended.
Calgary wasn’t under the watch but communities including Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds, Sundre, Red Deer, Ponoka, Innisfail and Stettler were.
There was one report of a funnel cloud or weak tornado touching down near Stettler which damaged some trees and a grain-bin the area.
A rainfall warning remains in effect for areas northwest of Calgary including, Banff and Canmore, with up to 100 millimetres of rain expected before Sunday morning.
Residents in Banff are sandbagging to protect critical infrastructure.
Tourists are also being told to steer clear of the swollen Bow River which is spilling over its banks in low lying areas.
Some campgrounds and trails are flooded and fast moving water has washed away some foot bridges.
Calgary isn’t included in Saturday’s rainfall warning but could be affected by all the precipitation upstream of the city.
The Calgary Fire Department is still warning people to stay away from the Bow and Elbow rivers and the Glenmore Reservoir.
However, Battalion Chief Ernie Molineaux tells 660News, some people are not getting the message.
“We have had some calls from concerned citizens when they’ve seen people near the river. So far we haven’t had to take anyone off the river or make any type of rescue that I’m aware of. But we have had some calls with people that are concerned about people being in dangerous places,” says Molineaux.
River levels are high; the water is fast and filled with debris and could cause the banks to wash out.
Those caught on the rivers will be given a stern warning, and possibly a fine.
Alberta Environment has issued a high stream-flow advisory for the Bow River in Calgary, meaning minor flooding is possible in low lying areas.
