Alberta Floods: Combines Help with Evacuation
Flash Flooding Hits Southern Alberta
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
DEVELOPING
Several communities in southern Alberta are under a state of emergency after recent rainfall has created flash flooding conditions, prompting evacuations.
The biggest hit areas include High River and Bragg Creek. In Calgary more than 25 neighbourhoods have been evacuated as Bow and Elbow Rivers started to flood. Elbow River has already made its way into Calgary’s city core and it is expected to rise as much as 30 percent by late Friday. Calgary is one of 12 communities who have declared a state of emergency.
The military has been brought in to assist with the emergency. There are currently 354 troops on the ground, five additional Griffon helicopters and another Cormorant helicopter. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning, forecasting up to 100 millimetres of rain expected over the next two days.
Residence have taken to social media to report on the conditions, one of the photos that went viral on Twitter showed a farmers combine rescuing people in an urban setting. Video footage captured by a residant being rescued by a combine - Click here to watch "High River Combine Ride".
The following are emergency contacts for residents of southern Alberta affected by the flooding:
• Information regarding affected communities: http://www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca/ or follow on Twitter at @AB_EmergAlert
• River level status: http://environment.alberta.ca/01547.html
• Road conditions and closures: http://511.alberta.ca/ab/en.html or Dial 511, follow on Twitter at @511Alberta
• Park advisories: http://www.albertaparks.ca/advisories
• Back country travel conditions – Click here.
• Calgary residence can go to: http://www.calgarycitynews.com/