Alberta floods:Calgary in state of emergency
Jun 20, 2013 14:51:12 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jun 20, 2013 14:51:12 GMT -5
Alberta floods: 2 believed missing after trailer swept into river near Calgary
Complete coverage of flood watches and an update on emergency plans. CTV Calgary reporters have the latest.
CTV News Channel: State of emergency in Calgary
During a press conference in Calgary, officials detail why they have called a state of emergency and what residents can expect.
Marlene Leung, CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Thursday, June 20, 2013 8:56AM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, June 20, 2013 2:58PM EDT
A search is underway for two people believed to have been swept into a river south of Calgary, after the region was hit by heavy rains and widespread flooding.
Cam Heke, of the STARS air ambulance agency, said the agency received reports of the missing adults after their trailer went into the Highwood River, near the town of Black Diamond.
Crews did an aerial search of the area for about 40 minutes before returning to Calgary to refuel, he said.
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Photos
State of emergency in Alberta over flooding
A man surrounded by floodwaters waves to a passing vehicle in High River, Alta. Thursday, June 20, 2013.
State of emergency in Alberta over flooding
A local garbage truck drives through floodwaters while evacuating a group of residents in High River, Alta. Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Heavy rains cause flooding in High River, Alberta
A vehicle drives through the floodwaters in High River, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2013.
severe flooding in canmore, alberta
A washed-out road is seen in Canmore, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2013. (Curtis Armstrong / MyNews)
state of emergency in Canmore
Heavy flooding is seen in Canmore, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2013. (Wade Graham / Twitter)
He said STARS has a number of other calls to attend to, including a medical emergency near Rocky Mountain House.
The news comes as officials warned Calgary residents to prepare for possible evacuations.
Calgary is the latest Alberta community to issue a state of emergency "due to the anticipated heavy rain and water flow" on the Elbow and Bow Rivers. An emergency operations centre has been opened, according to a statement issued by the City of Calgary.
During a news conference Thursday, officials said Calgarians should prepare for the possibility of a tiered evacuation, which would likely start Thursday afternoon.
Director of Calgary Emergency Management Agency Bruce Burell said current data indicates the flow rate will likely exceed the rate reached during the floods of June 2005.
“The current flow projections that we have indicate that we’ll probably be doing evacuations this afternoon, Burrell said, adding that the evacuations will be mandatory.
He said the evacuations will be tiered, with those in the highest-risk areas being evacuated first.
Calgarians were also warned to stay away from river banks and creeks and move their valuables to higher levels in their homes. At this point, officials said the city’s drinking water is unaffected by the flooding.
A decision about the evacuations will be made Thursday afternoon. Residents are encouraged to continue checking the city’s website and Twitter account for updates.
Communities face critical alerts
As of noon local time, the following Alberta communities were facing critical alerts:
Turner Valley, Hazardous Materials Alert: Residents have been warned that a hazardous materials release is threatening life and the environment. Residents in the affected areas have been evacuated and all other residents have been instructed to stay indoors and prepare for a possible evacuation.
High River, High Water Alert: Residents in northwest, southwest and northeast High River under mandatory evacuation and have been instructed to go to Highwood High School, where an evacuation centre has been opened.
Black Diamond, Overland Flooding Alert: Due to localized flooding, residents west of 1st St SW are being evacuated to the reception centre at Oilfields Arena. Residents are asked to conserve water.
Municipal district of Foothills No. 31, Flash Flood Alert: A mandatory evacuation has been issued for Foothills residents who live close to rivers, creeks and streams in the region. Residents are advised to seek shelter, as there is a risk of being swept away in the current.
Residents can check the Alberta Emergency Alert website for updates.
State of emergency in Canmore
In Canmore, about an hour’s drive west of Calgary, residents have been forced to leave their homes and others have been put on notice to prepare for a possible evacuation as a torrential downpour hit the town.
An emergency centre has been established for residents at the local civic centre.
The power is out in various locations across Canmore and authorities say the rain has caused Cougar Creek to overflow and flood Highway 1A. As a result, traffic on the highway has been closed at Cougar Creek in both directions. The Trans-Canada Highway has also been closed at Cougar Creek.
Town spokesperson Sally Caudill said a number of motorists had to be rescued by helicopter overnight due to the floodwaters.
"We had about 20 or so people on the highway ... who got stuck ... (when) water covered the highway in two places, so we used a helicopter to get those folks out,” she said.
Authorities are also concerned that a pedestrian bridge over the creek is at risk of falling. Video and photos from the scene showed the rising creek waters gushing under the bridge.
The town’s website advises all residents to stay away from the creek, as its banks are unstable.
A mudslide has reportedly shut down all traffic on Highway 1 about 40 kilometres east of the town. The RCMP is now turning all traffic in the area around and said the closure could last for several hours.
Two other mudslides have also cut off traffic in other locations: one on Highway 40 and another near Banff.
All public schools in Canmore and neighbouring Banff have been closed, authorities said.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the area, forecasting up to 100 millimetres of rain in the next two days.
Last week, the town of Fort McMurray was put under a state of emergency due to flooding after water breached the banks of the Hangingstone River.
With files from CTV Calgary and The Canadian Press
Video at link:
Read more: www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-floods-2-believed-missing-after-trailer-swept-into-river-near-calgary-1.1333791#ixzz2Wmu43aAV
Complete coverage of flood watches and an update on emergency plans. CTV Calgary reporters have the latest.
CTV News Channel: State of emergency in Calgary
During a press conference in Calgary, officials detail why they have called a state of emergency and what residents can expect.
Marlene Leung, CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Thursday, June 20, 2013 8:56AM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, June 20, 2013 2:58PM EDT
A search is underway for two people believed to have been swept into a river south of Calgary, after the region was hit by heavy rains and widespread flooding.
Cam Heke, of the STARS air ambulance agency, said the agency received reports of the missing adults after their trailer went into the Highwood River, near the town of Black Diamond.
Crews did an aerial search of the area for about 40 minutes before returning to Calgary to refuel, he said.
Digital Extra
june18/620_calvinmurray.jpg
In Pictures
Calgary overtaken with pounding rain and ominous clouds
Go
Related Stories
Redford visits Fort McMurray as flood repairs, emergency continues
Floods force residents from Alberta trailer park after days of heavy rain
Related Links
City of Calgary
Alberta Emergency Alert
Town of Canmore
Photos
State of emergency in Alberta over flooding
A man surrounded by floodwaters waves to a passing vehicle in High River, Alta. Thursday, June 20, 2013.
State of emergency in Alberta over flooding
A local garbage truck drives through floodwaters while evacuating a group of residents in High River, Alta. Thursday, June 20, 2013.
Heavy rains cause flooding in High River, Alberta
A vehicle drives through the floodwaters in High River, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2013.
severe flooding in canmore, alberta
A washed-out road is seen in Canmore, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2013. (Curtis Armstrong / MyNews)
state of emergency in Canmore
Heavy flooding is seen in Canmore, Alta., Thursday, June 20, 2013. (Wade Graham / Twitter)
He said STARS has a number of other calls to attend to, including a medical emergency near Rocky Mountain House.
The news comes as officials warned Calgary residents to prepare for possible evacuations.
Calgary is the latest Alberta community to issue a state of emergency "due to the anticipated heavy rain and water flow" on the Elbow and Bow Rivers. An emergency operations centre has been opened, according to a statement issued by the City of Calgary.
During a news conference Thursday, officials said Calgarians should prepare for the possibility of a tiered evacuation, which would likely start Thursday afternoon.
Director of Calgary Emergency Management Agency Bruce Burell said current data indicates the flow rate will likely exceed the rate reached during the floods of June 2005.
“The current flow projections that we have indicate that we’ll probably be doing evacuations this afternoon, Burrell said, adding that the evacuations will be mandatory.
He said the evacuations will be tiered, with those in the highest-risk areas being evacuated first.
Calgarians were also warned to stay away from river banks and creeks and move their valuables to higher levels in their homes. At this point, officials said the city’s drinking water is unaffected by the flooding.
A decision about the evacuations will be made Thursday afternoon. Residents are encouraged to continue checking the city’s website and Twitter account for updates.
Communities face critical alerts
As of noon local time, the following Alberta communities were facing critical alerts:
Turner Valley, Hazardous Materials Alert: Residents have been warned that a hazardous materials release is threatening life and the environment. Residents in the affected areas have been evacuated and all other residents have been instructed to stay indoors and prepare for a possible evacuation.
High River, High Water Alert: Residents in northwest, southwest and northeast High River under mandatory evacuation and have been instructed to go to Highwood High School, where an evacuation centre has been opened.
Black Diamond, Overland Flooding Alert: Due to localized flooding, residents west of 1st St SW are being evacuated to the reception centre at Oilfields Arena. Residents are asked to conserve water.
Municipal district of Foothills No. 31, Flash Flood Alert: A mandatory evacuation has been issued for Foothills residents who live close to rivers, creeks and streams in the region. Residents are advised to seek shelter, as there is a risk of being swept away in the current.
Residents can check the Alberta Emergency Alert website for updates.
State of emergency in Canmore
In Canmore, about an hour’s drive west of Calgary, residents have been forced to leave their homes and others have been put on notice to prepare for a possible evacuation as a torrential downpour hit the town.
An emergency centre has been established for residents at the local civic centre.
The power is out in various locations across Canmore and authorities say the rain has caused Cougar Creek to overflow and flood Highway 1A. As a result, traffic on the highway has been closed at Cougar Creek in both directions. The Trans-Canada Highway has also been closed at Cougar Creek.
Town spokesperson Sally Caudill said a number of motorists had to be rescued by helicopter overnight due to the floodwaters.
"We had about 20 or so people on the highway ... who got stuck ... (when) water covered the highway in two places, so we used a helicopter to get those folks out,” she said.
Authorities are also concerned that a pedestrian bridge over the creek is at risk of falling. Video and photos from the scene showed the rising creek waters gushing under the bridge.
The town’s website advises all residents to stay away from the creek, as its banks are unstable.
A mudslide has reportedly shut down all traffic on Highway 1 about 40 kilometres east of the town. The RCMP is now turning all traffic in the area around and said the closure could last for several hours.
Two other mudslides have also cut off traffic in other locations: one on Highway 40 and another near Banff.
All public schools in Canmore and neighbouring Banff have been closed, authorities said.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the area, forecasting up to 100 millimetres of rain in the next two days.
Last week, the town of Fort McMurray was put under a state of emergency due to flooding after water breached the banks of the Hangingstone River.
With files from CTV Calgary and The Canadian Press
Video at link:
Read more: www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-floods-2-believed-missing-after-trailer-swept-into-river-near-calgary-1.1333791#ixzz2Wmu43aAV
