Alberta Premier Alison Redford says 23 communities at different stages: some in recovery, many still in emergency.

For latest info from the government of Alberta on weather alerts and evacuations, see the Alberta Emergency Alert Index.

The latest:

Medicine Hat: Most of the low-lying areas in Medicine Hat along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River are under evacuation orders as flooding continues to hit the region.

Updates on state of emergencies:

- Lethbridge, AB – lifted

- Devon, AB – added

 

Calgary: Here is the latest information on neighbourhood evacuations, road and school closures, as well as safety tips from emergency officials in Calgary and some surrounding communities.

Calagary Neighbourhoods evacuated

What to do

Emergency officials are asking people to notify their neighbours before evacuating and mark their front doors with a big X, visible from the street, so that police and firefighters will know the house is empty.

Evacuees are being advised to grab their personal identification and pack enough clothes, prescription medicine and other essentials for at least a week.

The city is also asking people to only use their phones for essential calls.

Where to go

Medicine Hat: The Canadian Red Cross has set up a hotline at (403) 525-2665 for residents wishing to register that they have evacuated. An evacuation centre has been set up and is currently operating for those who require assistance.

Calgary: Those who can’t find temporary accommodations with relatives or friends can go to one of the following reception centres in Calgary:

  • Acadia Recreation Complex (240 90 Ave. S.E.)
  • Village Square Leisure Centre (2623 56 St. N.E.)
  • Central Memorial High School (5111 21 St. S.W.)
  • Southland Leisure Centre (2000 Southland Dr SW)
  • St. Francis High School (877 Northmount Dr. N.W.) Registrations only, no lodging
  • Centre Street Church (3900 2 St NE) Registrations only, no lodging

Those who don’t have anywhere to leave their pets can take them to the Animal Service Centre, 2201 Portland St. S.E. or The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 110th Ave SE.

Calgary road and bridge closures

The city is asking people to stay off the roads and refrain from all non-essential travel.

Road closures:

Updated, Saturday 7 p.m.:

  • 5 Street SW at 26 Avenue
  • Elbow Drive between 4 St and north of Britannia Dr
  • Heritage Dr between Heritage Meadows Rd and Glenmore Tr SE
  • Heritage Meadows Rd between Deerfoot Tr and Glenmore Tr
  • Macleod Tr S from 36 Ave to the north - both directions
  • 9 Ave between 7 & 8 St SE
  • 12 St/Zoo Rd between Memorial Dr and 9 Ave SE
  • Memorial Drive Eastbound closed from Crowchild Tr to 12 St
  • Glenmore closed East of Deerfoot. EB ramp to NB closed.
  • Eastbound Memorial Dr btwn Crowchild Tr NW and Edmonton Tr NE
  • Westbound Memorial Dr btwn Edmonton Tr NE and 10 St NW
  • Southbound Centre St btwn 2 Av SE and 7 Av NE (upper deck of the Centre St bridge)
  • No access from Deerfoot Tr to westbound 17 Av SE
  • No access from Deerfoot Tr to Memorial Dr
  • No access from Crowchild Tr to eastbound Memorial Dr NW
  • No access from eastbound Memorial Dr to Saint Georges Dr NE
  • Ogden Rd SE from 16A St to 50 Ave (over the Bow)
  • 25 Avenue west of Spiller Rd

LANE REDUCTIONS:

  • Northbound Deerfoot Tr at Southland Dr - reduced to two lanes
  • Northbound Deerfoot Tr north of Glenmore Tr SE - reduced to two lanes
  • Southbound Deerfoot Tr at Southland Dr - reduced to lane over overpass
  • Crowchild Tr NB from Memorial Drive to Kensington Rd - reduced to 1 lane

BRIDGES on Bow River that are open:

  • Stoney Trail NW
  • 14 St west (all traffic)
  • Calf Robe
  • Ivor Strong (unconfirmed)
  • Crowchild Tr
  • 22x (unconfirmed)
  • Deerfoot south near city limits (unnamed bridge)

ALL THE REST ARE CLOSED:

  • Bridges on Elbow River
  • Open: Glenmore Causeway
  • All the rest in city limits are closed.

Transit

There is no access through the downtown core via transit or C-train. For up-to-date information about limited transit service, see www.calgarytransit.com or @calgarytransit on Twitter.

The situation in nearby communities:

In addition to Calgary, the following communities have issued states of emergencies:

  • Sundre
  • County of Lethbridge
  • Medicine Hat
  • Cochrane
  • High River
  • Turner Valley
  • Canmore
  • Black Diamond
  • Rockyview County
  • Foothills
  • Bighorn
  • Crowsnest Pass

Residents can check the Alberta Emergency Alerts website for updates.

Medicine Hat

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for nearly 10,000 residents in the low-lying parts of the city as the South Saskatchewan River is expected to crest. A map of the evacuated area can be seen on the city’s website.

The gas in the evacuated areas was set to be shut off Saturday at 2 p.m. local time. Medicine Hat Transit has been helping with the evacuation.

Residents are being urged to stay away from the evacuation zone and surrounding areas.

Canmore

Local state of emergency has been declared, with Cougar Creek banks unstable.

Power is back on the Palliser – a residential complex.

Roads out of town remain closed. An evacuation centre has been set up at the Canmore Collegiate High School. Residents with extra rooms are being matched with those in need.

Cochrane

A state of local emergency remains in effect and residents are being asked to conserve water. There is currently no boil water advisory in Cochrane; the town’s water treatment plant is fully operational. Volunteers are not needed at this time. The voluntary evacuation has been cancelled.

Bow River and Jumping Pound Creek appear to be stable, but monitoring continues. Local authorities are reminding residents to stay away from riverbanks and flood waters.

High River

One of the hardest hit communities, High River has been forced to evacuate its evacuation centres due to rising floodwaters. Residents who took shelter at Highwood High School and Charles Clark Medical Centre have been moved to the neighbouring towns of Nanton and Blackie. The Highwood River has receded overnight but a mandatory evacuation order is still in effect, and the RCMP is advising against travel in the area.

RCMP said they rescued 800 people via helicopter from the High River area on Friday. An additional 100-200 people were rescued by water craft.

Turner Valley and Black Diamond

Turner Valley and Black Diamond remain under a state of local emergency. The neighbouring towns are working together to secure a safe water supply to Black Diamond. Residents are being asked to severely limit water use. Residents are being asked to avoid flood waters.

Rocky View County

Power has been returned to the town’s water treatment plant which was undamaged during recent flooding. The county is supplying clean water to Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows residents. Authorities say that the situation has been largely stablized: all evacuation notices were cancelled early Saturday morning, and the emergency centre has also closed.