Status update for communities affected by flooding

Posted at 2:38 pm, June 23, 2013

Banff - power has been restored to the town site of Banff and Lake Louise after a 5 hour interruption.

Canmore - a boil water advisory was instituted by Alberta Health Services for the entire town of Canmore.  Inspections are being made by a structural engineer and Town Building inspector to assess the safety of affected homes. Work on the re-entry plan continues.


Kananaskis - no changes to this area.  The roads are still largely impassable.

Stoney First Nation, Morley  - 8 families had been evacuated from low-lying areas on June 20th.  Recommendations are that any users of private water systems such as wells and cisterns boil their water.

Stoney First Nation, Big Horn - approximately 44 people from low lying areas were evacuated.  Homes located in higher areas were encouraged to shelter in place. This community is not requiring assistance at this time.

Stony First Nation, Eden Valley - there were 200 people evacuated in Eden Valley to the school and 150 to 200 people were evacuated to the old school in Morley.

County of Rocky View - the evacuation order has been lifted for Bragg Creek.  Some parts of the hamlet are still inaccessible.

Tsuu T'ina First Nation - Redwood Meadows residents were evacuated.

Siksika First Nation - approximately 1000 people were evacuated to either the Deerfoot Sportsplex and Gleichen arena, or are staying in the area with friends or family. Siksika is under a boil water  and water restriction advisory.

MD of Willow Creek #26 - The Twin Valley Reservoir was opened.  Residents south of the Reservoir were evacuated to the Town of Stavely's community hall.

High River - the entire town is still under a mandatory evacuation order. 80 per cent of the town is without power or basic services. The waste treatment facility is currently down. Search and rescue efforts are expected to take days to complete.

Turner Valley - only 8 homes remain evacuated.

Black Diamond - 100 homes were evacuated and the Black Diamond Hospital was evacuated. Power, phone and internet services have been interrupted.  The river in the Highway 22 areas has cut a new channel and is undermining soil in that area.  A portion of the bridge between Black Diamond and Turner Valley has been damaged.

Okotoks - the evacuation notice has been lifted for all affected areas in Okotoks.

Sundre - the mandatory evacuation order has been lifted except for Riverside RV park.  The town continues into recovery.

Mountain View County - evacuations remain in effect for areas southwest of Sundre from the Molman Subdivision to Coyote Creek.  RCMP evacuated 2 persons from the Mountainaire Lodge and 18 others were left sheltering in place with staff.

City of Red Deer - residents of the Lions Campground have been evacuated and all public areas adjacent to the Red Deer River have been closed.

Drumheller - Acute care patients were evacuated with remaining patients sheltering in place.  Evacuation of several low lying neighbourhoods is underway and is expected to affect approximately 4000 residents.  The Red Deer river is expected to crest at midnight of June 23rd.

Blood Tribe First Nation - 2 health clients were evacuated.  No other assistance is required.

Vulcan - the town is operating at a state of increased readiness.

RCMP continued their search and rescue efforts throughout the night and into the morning in Southern Alberta Communities affected by flooding. Police are maintaining a presence in the communities affected by flooding to provide security to evacuated properties. RCMP are monitoring anyone going in or going out of the evacuation zones.

Additional resources from the Province, as well as from Western Canada, have been deployed throughout the province:

• 232 Members to High River
• 25 Members to Drumheller
• 20 Members to Redcliff
• 13 Members to Canmore

The Marine Unit from "E" Division (British Columbia) has arrived to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts; "D" Division (Manitoba) have also sent resources to assist. The Dive Team from "F" Division (Saskatchewan) are currently on their way to Alberta to provide assistance.

RCMP Members and support staff from the High River Detachment have been replaced so that they are able to begin to deal with their personal losses. 13 Officers and support staff, who reside in the communities affected by the flooding, have either lost their homes or have suffered significant property damage.