Snowmelt causes flooding in several southern Alberta communities

Flood waters impact Siksika Nation properties The melting snow has flooded roads in and out of the Siksika Nation. Mark Villani has an update on the State of Emergency...

A number of communities in southern Alberta have declared a State of Local Emergency due to overland flooding and authorities are advising people to take precautions in affected areas.

Local States of Emergency have been called in five jurisdictions including; Vulcan County, Forty Mile County, the Siksika Nation and the MD of Taber.

There is localized flooding in low-lying areas and a number of roads are under water.

In Vulcan, melting snow has forced officials to close a number of roads and the county council says there is a danger to land, property and infrastructure.

In Forty Mile County, over 40 roads have been closed and officials say many others have been impacted by flooding.

A similar situation is unfolding on the Siksika Nation, where 300 kilometres of roads have been affected by the rapidly melting snow.

Roads and intersections in and around Taber have also been impacted by high water flows and officials in the community say flooded water wells and cisterns should be considered ‘contaminated and unsafe for consumption and use.’

Cypress county officials are warning residents about high water levels and say landowners along the Seven Persons Creek and Bullshead Creek may see some flooding as the waterways are expected to experience water flows that are higher than normal.

Officials are asking people to avoid driving on water covered roads and not to go around barricades.

For the latest Alberta Emergency Alerts, click HERE.