Alberta towns prepare for potential floods while province stands ready to support

Towns across southern Alberta say they’re bracing themselves and preparing for the worst while hoping for the best as torrential rain continues.

This comes as the province once again offers its support, with government resources available for municipalities affected by potential flooding.

Fear and anxiety have grown with every raindrop over the past couple of days, with many people remembering what happened in 2013 when many municipalities across southern Alberta faced a deadly flood.

“2013 doesn’t go away anytime soon with a lot of us. We’ve got resources in town to help those that are experiencing anxiety and the PTSD that was created in 2013,” High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass told CityNews.

He notes flood mitigation measures brought in over the last nine years are designed to protect against events like the devastating flood of 2013. Snodgrass adds this week’s rain isn’t expected to reach those levels right now.

“As far as flooding of residential neighbourhoods, downtown-commercial areas, we are very, very, well protected and I claim that we’re the most well-protected community in Canada from flood risk.”

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Canmore Emergency Coordination Centre Director Scott McKay also believes the municipality is prepared for what may come.

“In 2013, I think, generally speaking, southern Alberta found itself reacting, and unlike 2013 we’ve been able to be much more proactive — certainly within the town of Canmore, where we’re monitoring our creeks and the Bow River around the clock,” he said.

“[At the moment], we’re seeing ponding on roads, we’re seeing slightly increased flows within some of our steep creeks, and [we’re] also keeping a close eye on the Bow River as that level fluctuates.”

Funding in place for disaster relief, province says

In outlining the support it’s ready to provide, the provincial government notes a $1 billion contingency fund in its latest budget earmarked for municipal disasters and emergency assistance.

“Although municipal governments typically respond to flooding or other local emergencies, the government of Alberta stands ready to assist with this response through the Alberta emergency management agency. Municipalities can request flood mitigation equipment from provincial stockpiles,” Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon said Tuesday.

“I know that this is worrisome for many Albertans, especially for communities that were affected by the devastating 2013 floods. I want to reiterate that our cities and towns, particularly those impacted in 2013, have much better flood protection in place than was the case nine years ago.”

Rainfall warnings remain up for parts of southern Alberta, with Environment Canada warning up to 125 millimetres of rain is possible by Wednesday morning east of the Foothills.

“The heaviest rain will continue to fall along the Foothills and the front range of the Rocky Mountains with local rainfall totals of 150 mm or more possible,” it writes in its alerts.

On Tuesday, the City of Calgary declared a local state of emergency to help provide first responders and others with supports for things like evacuations and to protect critical infrastructure.

The declaration is in place for two weeks and can be rescinded or renewed, as needed.