Recent flooding related updates for Pincher Creek, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, and Crowsnest Pass

Washout over Hwy #22 south of Chimney Rock Road
Debbie Jo Webster photo

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Updates for some of the towns in southwestern Alberta affected by flooding June 20, 2013.

Pincher Creek: 5:00 pm.
Pincher Creek Emergency Management Agency Representative Ralph Bourque expressed that Pincher Creek was fortunate in comparison to many other areas affected by the heavy rain.  At 5:00 pm June 20 Pincher Creek was not in a state of emergency although some areas have suffered damage due to the flood.  Crews and equipment were sent to Crowsnest Pass to assist in the emergency.  The situation will be monitored for further updates.


Black Diamond:  7:10 pm.  
The evacuation order for Black Diamond 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.
Erosion of the river banks has also exposed fibre-optic lines located near the river.

 Please keep your radio's tuned to the Eagle 100.9 fm 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.

Link: Town of Black Diamond emergency page

Turner Valley 8:45 pm.
Turner Valley Emergency Management Agency is maintaining an evacuation order until further notice.

Listen to local authorities for any updates.

Please continue to to check back for updates as they become available.

Link: Turner Valley

Municipality of Crowsnest Pass 7:00 pm. 

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass remains under a State of Local Emergency which was declared at 7:00 am due to flooding events throughout the Municipality.

At this hour residents are advised:
The public is asked for their assistance to not remove or pass through barricades, interfere with work crews or emergency personnel as they work to clear debris. Residents that are found removing or passing through barricades will be subject to enforcement. Please continue to use extreme caution around the river, tributaries and culverts as banks are extremely unstable.

Water levels are still actively receding. The community is being monitored on an ongoing basis, clean-up has begun and damage is being assessed.

The Reception Center for affected residents is now located at the Municipal Office in Coleman. Residents and pets are welcome.

Residents that have been evacuated have been cleared to return to their homes. Should residents require gas appliances lit or natural gas turned on, residents are asked to phone the Blairmore Fire Hall at (403) 562-8600.

Highway 3 between Sparwood and Crowsnest Pass remains open at this hour.

Sandbags are located at the Blairmore Public Works Facility located at 12525 21 Avenue in Blairmore for residents that require them. The Municipal Office and the Emergency Operations Center will remain open throughout the night monitoring this situation as it develops. Operations Staff from the Municipality and the Town of Pincher Creek, Firefighters, RCMP and EHS will also be working throughout the night. Residents may phone the office at (403) 562-8833.

Crowsnest Pass

Alberta river basin advisories 3:00 pm: Alberta Environment forecasting advisories 

Related link: AMA Road Reports