This release was issued under a previous government.

The Government of Alberta continues monitoring the situation, providing river forecasts, emergency alerts and expert advice, and coordinating onsite support to affected municipalities and First Nations communities that request assistance. As the situation stabilizes, communities in southern Alberta are shifting the focus of their operations from flood response to recovery.

Current situation

The Provincial River Forecast Centre, which monitors river ice, volumes and flows across the province 365 days a year, has issued the following advisories:

  • Peace River Basin
    • Ice Jam Warning – Beaverlodge River near the Town of Beaverlodge
    • Ice Jam Watch – Peace River from downstream of Sunny Valley to Fort Vermilion
  • Athabasca River Basin
    • Ice Jam Watch – Athabasca River, approximately 1.5 km downstream of the Town of Whitecourt, NOT including Whitecourt
    • Ice Advisory – Athabasca River from the Town of Athabasca to downstream of Fort McMurray
  • Red Deer River Basin
    • High Streamflow
    • Kneehills Creek, Threehills Creek and Rosebud River, including tributaries
    • Little Red Deer River near the mouth
    • Medicine River
    • Red Deer River, downstream of the City of Red Deer

For current road closure listings in specific municipalities, check the Alberta Emergency page at alberta.ca/emergency.aspx

Motorists should not attempt to drive on flooded roadways, as they risk striking submerged road hazards.

Currently, seven municipalities, First Nations and communities have issued alerts via the Alberta Emergency Alerts system:

  • MD of Taber (road repairs)
  • MD of Greenview No. 16 (road closures)
  • Town of Sexsmith (road closures)
  • Birch Hills County (road closures)
  • MD of Smoky River No. 130 (road closures)
  • MD of Fairview No. 136 (road closures)
  • Grande Prairie County No. 1 (road closures)

Albertans are encouraged to download the free Alberta Emergency Alert app on their mobile devices at emergencyalert.alberta.ca

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency and Alberta Environment and Parks continue to provide technical support and provincially held resources to municipalities and stakeholders that have been affected by local flooding.

Albertans who have questions about the effects flooding has had on a specific community, or who require assistance dealing with flooding, should contact their municipality or First Nation directly. Municipal and First Nation websites can often provide valuable information.

Backgrounder

Previous updates

The community of Wayne in Drumheller  is on a mandatory evacuation notice as a result of high water levels in a nearby river. Municipalities and First Nations are leading flood response efforts on behalf of their respective communities.

The Government of Alberta is supporting their response efforts through community liaisons and by providing provincially held resources, such as pumps and piping, when requested.

Current situation

  • The Provincial River Forecast Centre has issued the following advisories for the province:
    • Flood watches are in effect for Kneehills, Lasthill and Threehills creeks, as well as the Rosebud, Little Red Deer and Medicine rivers.
    • A High Streamflow Advisory is in effect for the Red Deer River downstream of the City of Red Deer.
    • River Ice Advisories have been issued for the Peace River from downstream of Sunny Valley to Fort Vermillion and for the Athabasca River from the Town of Athabasca to downstream of Fort McMurray.
  • A number of provincial and municipal roads have been affected across the province as a result of flooding. Motorists are urged to pay attention to closure notices and respect road barriers.
    • The following provincial roads are closed:
      • Hwy 628 from Hwy 60 to RR 265
      • Hwy 10X from Bridge #2 to Twp Rd 280
      • Hwy 873 from RR161 to RR 162 west of Hwy 36
      • Hwy 842 from Twp Rd 250 to Hwy 564
      • Shouldice Rd, west of Hwy 842, south of Cluny
  • Links to municipalities with affected roads can be found on the Alberta Emergency page at alberta.ca/emergency.aspx.
  • Motorists should not attempt to drive through waters on roadways as there may be hidden hazards.
  • Currently, 17 municipalities, First Nations and communities have issued alerts via the Alberta Emergency Alerts system:
    • Red Deer County
    • MD of Taber
    • Town of Beiseker
    • Wheatland County
    • Village of Rycroft
    • Saddle Lake County
    • Town of Drumheller
    • Birch Hills County
    • MD of Smoky River
    • Kneehill County
    • MD of Greenview
    • Forty Mile County
    • Siksika Nation
    • MD of Fairview
    • Village of Stirling
    • Rocky View County
    • Vulcan County
  • Operations staff from Alberta Emergency Management Agency and Alberta Environment and Parks continue to provide technical support and provincially held resources to municipalities and stakeholders, including irrigation districts affected by local flooding.
  • Albertans with questions on the specific impacts to their community or who require assistance in dealing with flooding should contact their municipality or First Nation directly. Municipal and First Nations websites are also a source of information.