Warm temperatures weakening ice jam that caused evacuation alert for northern Alta. community

A northern Alberta community was put on evacuation alert Tuesday morning because of the potential of a 25-kilometre-long ice jam to cause flooding.

Draper’s 140 residents were told they should be ready to leave on short notice.

Officials have planned another observation flight of affected rivers to monitor water levels on Wednesday.

Residents were asked to stay prepared for a potential evacuation as of Tuesday evening.

Here’s everything that happened on Tuesday:

Evacuation alert issued

The unincorporated community is located on the southern bank of the Clearwater River in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray.

An ice jam that formed on the Athabasca River has caused the level of the Clearwater River to rise 4.5 metres, according to the latest data. The Athabasca River’s level has risen 5.5 metres.

Clearwater River flows west from northwestern Saskatchewan and joins Athabasca River near Fort McMurray.

The province is monitoring the ice jam.

Alex Antoneshyn, CTV News Edmonton digital producer

Some low-lying areas waterlogged

Overland flooding, which can happen during river breakups, has closed some low-lying areas of Draper, according to a Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo update.

Snye parking lot, Morimoto Drive, Raphael Cree Park, Tom Weber Park and Sarah Holden Dog Park were all closed as of Tuesday evening.

The Athabasca River ice jam has raised water levels at Fort McMurray by nearly seven metres, according to latest data, and the Clearwater River continues to rise at a “slow but consistent pace.”

The municipality has reminded residents to stay away from riverbanks as officials have seen unsafe activity near the water.

Hannah Kavanagh, CTV News Edmonton digital producer

Is an evacuation order likely?

Officials are hopeful the evacuation alert won’t escalate to an evacuation order. While an alert urges residents to be prepared to leave, an order means people “must leave now” as it’s “not safe to stay,” according to the municipality’s website.

An order could be triggered in Draper if water levels “get higher than the main road or egress road out of that community,” said Jody Butz, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Emergency Management director, on Tuesday.

But he said there’s still a ways to go — “about another metre and a half” — with warmer temperatures expected to help melt the ice and reduce the risk.

Ethan Morneau, CTV News national digital producer

Warm temperatures helping

Municipality and weather teams are actively watching the ice jam closely, which is confirmed to span 25 kilometres where the Clearwater River meets the Athabasca River right at Fort McMurray.

Water levels were continuing to rise, albeit slowly, Butz said.

Warmer temperatures should help deteriorate the ice pack creating the jam — and at some point, the ice flow will release and water levels will return to normal.

“We’re just not sure when that will be,” he told media Tuesday afternoon.

He has “strong confidence” in emergency crews being able to manage the levels before a flood evacuation order is needed.

Two roads in Draper, Garden Lane and River Bend Close, currently have a small amount of water over them, Butz said.

Hannah Kavanagh, CTV News Edmonton digital producer

Residents urged to prepare

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is advising “everyone in Draper” to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit with food, water, a flashlight, a radio, a first-aid kit, important family documents and extra keys for your vehicle and house, as well as cash, travellers’ cheques and change, among other items.

“Just like organizations and municipalities, individuals and families should prepare too,” according to the municipality on its website.

It encourages residents to make an emergency plan, follow its social media channels and download the Alberta Emergency Alerts app.

“Notify emergency responders if you are aware of vulnerable residents who may need assistance evacuating,” the municipality said in its alert.

“Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification,” it added, also urging residents to review their tenant/home insurance policies.

“It never hurts to put a neighbourhood or community on alert. Never hurts to be prepared,” Butz said.

Ethan Morneau, CTV News national digital producer

$522M in damage in 2020

A 25-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River in 2020 caused half a billion dollars in damages when it flooded downtown Fort McMurray.

In August 2020, insured damage costs were believed to be $522 million, according to CatIQ and the Insurance Bureau of Canada. That was more than double the $228 million estimated two months prior.

Alex Antoneshyn, CTV News Edmonton digital producer

Lessons learned from previous flooding

Officials gained insight after the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo experienced damaging flooding roughly six years ago, when thousands were forced from their homes.

“We come quite practised,” Butz said Tuesday.

“We haven’t been sitting on our hands. Some lessons learned are obviously the evacuation notices and the step-by-step progression as the river flooding has occurred. Typically, it’s not a rushed event — it’s slow in progression.

“I have strong confidence in our levels of mitigation.”

Ethan Morneau, CTV News national digital producer

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