Evacuation orders and alerts

  • Access restrictions and localized closures remain in effect for Kananaskis Country, including portions of Highway 40 and the Smith Dorrien Trail.
    • Crews are actively restoring access routes and assessing infrastructure to support response operations and the safe movement of people from impacted areas.
    • Limited access has been restored in some locations to support emergency operations, staff access and outbound travel, while closures remain in place where infrastructure assessments are ongoing.
  • The Town of Canmore is transitioning from response to recovery activities after rescinding all local evacuation alerts on June 29.
  • Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
  • People living in Alberta are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.

Current situation – parks

  • Alberta’s government and local authorities continue to respond to impacted road infrastructure in Kananaskis Country. Due to multiple impacted areas and the need for a corresponding coordinated response, Kananaskis Improvement District declared a state of local emergency.
  • Conditions are changing and being monitored. People already in the area are asked to follow instructions from facility staff and local emergency officials.
  • Egress is available throughout Kananaskis Country into this evening. Highway contractors continue to work on clearing debris. Additional work is ongoing to restore public access in affected areas.
  • Officials are actively engaged with facility operators and taking steps to relay important information to visitors and campers who may be sheltering in place.
  • Albertans are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Kananaskis Country. As water levels are elevated throughout the region, the public is reminded to use caution near rivers, creeks, and other water bodies.
  • Due to flooding, high water, and ongoing assessments, multiple trails, backcountry campgrounds, and day-use areas are temporarily closed across the region. Additional closures and potential camping reservation cancelations will be communicated as conditions evolve.
  • Visitors are encouraged to monitor updates from Alberta 511 for current highway conditions and closures, Alberta Emergency Alerts for emergency notifications, and official Government of Alberta channels for recreation area and park information.

Current situation – flooding (as of 4 p.m., June 30)

  • Flood watches are in place for the Elbow River upstream of Glenmore Reservoir, and the Clearwater River.
  • High Streamflow Advisories remain in place from the rain event from last weekend. Additional High Streamflow Advisories were implemented for the event this weekend. The affected basins are summarized below from north to south: 
    • Peace River basin: Simonette River and the Little Smoky River 
    • Athabasca River basin: Pembina River, Paddle River, Freeman River, and the West Prairie River basin
    • North Saskatchewan River basin: North Saskatchewan River from Rocky Mountain House to the Saskatchewan River border, including Vermilion River, Sturgeon River, Redwater Creek, Waskatenau Creek, tributaries to the North Saskatchewan River near and downstream of Edmonton, Brazeau River, and Baptiste River
    • Beaver River Basin: Beaver River and the tributaries to Cold Lake 
    • Battle River Basin: Battle River through Ponoka  
    • Red Deer River basin: Red Deer River upstream of Dickson Dam including its tributaries, Red Deer River near Sundre, the Medicine River, the Little Red Deer River basin, and the Blindman River downstream of Dickson Dam
    • Bow River: Elbow River downstream of Glenmore Reservoir, Bow River and tributaries, Highwood River, Ghost River, Sheep River, Waiparous River, Jumpingpound Creek, Fish Creek, and the Pipestone River basin
    • Oldman River Basin: Oldman River, St. Mary River, Waterton River, Belly River, Pincher Creek, and Willow Creek
    • South Saskatchewan River basin: South Saskatchewan River
  • A map showing all advisories, watches and warnings, along with forecaster’s comments, can be found on the Alberta Rivers website.

Roads and highways (as of 4 p.m., June 30)

  • The recent significant rainfall events have resulted in localized overland flooding, transportation disruptions and minor infrastructure damage across several areas of the province.
  • While impacts were generally localized, saturated ground conditions combined with heavy rainfall in portions of central Alberta and the eastern foothills led to elevated runoff, localized flooding, washed-out road sections and mudslides affecting transportation corridors.
  • Provincial closures due to flooding, rockslides or mudslides:
    • Highway 742 southwest of Canmore to the junction with Highway 40 – CLOSED
    • Highway 837 near the junction with Highway 575, northwest of Drumheller – CLOSED
    • Highway 40 between Mount Lorette Ponds and Highway 940, Kananaskis – CLOSED
    • Highway 824 near Township Road 520, south of Ardrossan – CLOSED
    • Highway 15 between Highway 29 and Highway 831, Lamont – CLOSED
    • Highway 778 near Township Road 490, south of Thorsby – CLOSED
    • Highway 717 near Range Road 124, west of Hines Creek – CLOSED
    • Highway 642 near Highway 44, west of Morinville – CLOSED
  • Highway 541 & Highway 742 – the segments not currently closed are listed as Travel Not Recommended.
  • Highway 40 between Highway 68 and Mount Allan Drive has reopened. Southbound traffic is permitted for egress from Kananaskis between Highway 742 and Highway 541; northbound traffic in this section remains restricted to emergency vehicles.
  • 511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.

Emergency preparedness

  • Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now. To be prepared, Albertans need to know what to do, where to go and have enough supplies for a week or more. Supplies include food, water, medications and important documents. Include supplies for pets as well.
  • Read more about emergency preparedness.

Related information