RCMP southern Alberta flood update

Issued at 12:34 pm, June 22, 2013

Southern Alberta RCMP District Emergency Operations Centre has received the following updates from communities that have been affected by flooding and this is the most current status of these communities.

Crowsnest Pass RCMP Detachment is reporting that flooding is under control.  Water levels have dropped significantly and people that were evacuated have all returned to dwellings.  No injuries have been reported.  Some residential streets have been closed due to construction equipment that is needed to mend the main line of Canadian Pacific Rail which was washed out.

Highway 3 is open to BC and has no reported problems.

Highway 22 is open north from Crowsnest Pass to Black Diamond.

Highway 940, which is a forestry trunk road is reporting numerous wash outs.  The M.D. of Ranchlands is currently working on repairs.


High River is still under an Evacuation Order and no one is allowed to return to that community at this time.

Turner Valley RCMP Detachment advise that the river continues to decline in Turner Valley, but the Evacuation Order is still in effect.  The water level over flowing Highway 22 at Millarville is also declining.

Drumheller RCMP Detachment is reporting that the Mayor of Drumheller has declared a state of emergency and their Emergency Operation Centre is setting up.

Banff RCMP Detachment reports that water levels are starting to recede this morning.  Overnight the Bow River peaked at 458 cubes which is a new record.  Work continues on Highway 1 and vehicle access to Highway 1 east of Canmore is restricted to Emergency vehicles, supply trucks and authorized Roam Buses only.

The RCMP and the town of Canmore are working with tourists and truckers stranded in that community to try to relieve some of their concerns.

The Park Superintendent of Banff National Park reports that the Trans-Canada Highway #1 is open in both directions between Golden and Banff to private passenger vehicles and tour buses only.  No Commercial vehicles such as semi- trucks, 18 wheelers,or transport trucks except those making deliveries to the communities of Field, Lake Louise, Banff and commercial accommodations are allowed at this time.

Motorists are encouraged to consult the DriveBC website www.drivebc.ca/ for road conditions west and south of Golden.

The Trans-Canada Highway eastbound from Banff towards Canmore remains closed until further notice.

Cochrane RCMP Detachment reports that Bragg Creek Hamlet and Redwood Meadows are allowing residents to return to their homes but there are limited utilities available in these communities at this time.  There is no change to the Town of Cochrane status.

Sundre RCMP Detachment reports that the Emergency Operation Centre for that town will be closed by the end of today.  Mountain View County still has the area around Coyote Creek Golf Resort closed to road washouts  This effects approximately 10 full time residences and a couple of hundred seasonal RV sites.  Local governments are preparing for clean up and road rebuilding.  Stream flow in the area is still considered high but is approximately half of what the peak rate was.

Vulcan RCMP Detachment reports no change.

The RCMP continue to work throughout the morning of Saturday, June 22, 2013, responding to the floods throughout Southern Alberta.   Approximately 200 additional RCMP personnel have been deployed from other parts of Alberta to assist with evacuation, rescue, traffic safety and security operations with the communities of High River, Bragg Creek, Canmore, Banff and Turner Valley.

Through the course of the rescue and evacuation efforts that took place on Friday in the High River area, the RCMP estimate that approximately 800 people were evacuated by helicopter along with 100-200 people rescued by various water craft.

The RCMP confirm that there now have been three deaths associated to the flood.  Two deceased individuals, a male and female, were located and recovered from the Highwood River Friday. A third individual, a 35 year old female, initially reported to be missing, has been located and recovered from the Highwood River.  At this time, the RCMP will not be releasing the names of the deceased.

Friday, there were unconfirmed reports of a deceased individual seen in the Highwood River near the Highwood Bridge; efforts will be undertaken today to reach this location and confirm this report.  The Highwood River remains very fast and dangerous and commanders on the ground in High River will evaluate the risk to first responders as they continue to work in this situation.

The RCMP will continue their door to door checks of residences throughout the community of High River. This work is being done in conjunction with other provincial government agencies and utilities companies to ensure the safety of the citizens.

RCMP wish to remind the public that the situation in and around rivers and streams in Southern Alberta remain dangerous and that everyone is asked to stay away from the affected areas.

RCMP Request Help of Public to Move Vehicles

The Southern Alberta District RCMP Emergency Operation Centre is appealing to the public to remove abandoned vehicles that were left on the highways outside of the safety perimeter around High River, Alberta. Vehicles were left behind by people leaving the flood area, but now the vehicles are impeding the Emergency Responders and the movement of emergency vehicles. Some abandoned vehicles are parked in intersections and on the travel portion of the highways around High River. Dealing with these abandoned vehicles is diverting some Emergency responders away from search and rescue efforts so any vehicles that can be removed by their owners will help return Emergency responders to their primary duties.

For any vehicle owners that are not able to attend and remove their vehicle, the RCMP will be towing the vehicles to a temporary tow compound where owners will be able to pick up their vehicles.

Vehicles that are located inside the High River emergency perimeter cannot be accessed at this time
EVACUATION CENTER INFORMATION

The M.D. of Foothills have opened another center at the Heritage Heights School located at 32156, Highway 552 East. The school is east of the Okotoks overpass.  M.D. of Foothills Public Information Officer Darlene Roblin says, "People should contact the individual reception centers to locate evacuees." Evacuees can visit or call one of four reception centers:

Black Diamond - Oilfields Arena (403-933-5273)

Okotoks  - Recreation Center (403-995-2785)

Okotoks - Heritage Heights School (403-336-1000)

Nanton  - Recreation Center (403-646-2961)