The state of emergency in Canmore is going to get worse before it gets better with another 50 to 70 mm of rain expected in the next 24 hours.
Environment Canada reported 107 mm fell overnight in the Bow Valley and the weather system responsible isn’t going anywhere soon.
“It is a large scale low pressure system that moved into southern Alberta from northwestern states and at the leading edge it brought an area of showers and thunder storms and it is a low that is essentially going to park itself over the extreme southern portion of Alberta and continually feed moisture up into the foothills including the Canmore area,” said meteorologist Bill McMurtry Thursday morning (June 20). “There is going to be quite a bit more (rain) on the way. This system isn’t going away anytime fast it is going to stall and for areas along the foothills and right up to the B.C. border we are looking at some pretty significant rainfall amounts.
“We could see 50 to 75 mm more rain before this is said and done on Friday (June 21).”
The continued rain and state of emergency declared earlier this morning and evacuation of residents in Cougar Creek is of significant concern for Canmore Mayor John Borrowman. In addition to the flooding that has already occurred, he said Canmore’s infrastructure is also at risk and in particular water and gas lines into the Cougar Creek area.
“There’s concern about a number of secondary issues over there, one of which is water and it looks like we may have to shut down water line into that part of town because it is going under Cougar Creek and is exposed now and if it breaks we will probably lose water everywhere on that side of the highway,” said the mayor. “We are a little concerned about the gas lines over there, so ATCO is monitoring that and I believe their intent is to shut down some gas lines in the evacuated areas.”
There have also been a number of power outages in town and all areas are experiencing high levels of water. Borrowman said emergency services are monitoring all areas, roads and creeks. Residents in the eastern part of Cougar Creek are under an evacuation order, however roads out of that part of town are shut. Emergency shelters have been set up at the Grotto Mountain Community Centre and the Public Works building. Residents evacuated from the western side of Cougar Creek are being sent to Elevation Place.
Three Sisters Creek has seen increased flows and has put the Bow Valley Parkway at risk of a washout as well.
“There is serious concern about the Three Sisters Creek, it is coming close to washing out Three Sisters Parkway,” Borrowman said. “We are putting the highest priority on that issue because if the parkway goes down we have no access from Calgary here.”
Basement flooding in South Canmore is another issue for the Town. The Wastewater Treatment Plant’s power went out and due to a delay in the generators kicking in, the mayor said the concern is that flooding in that part of Canmore could be contaminated with sewage.
Borrowman recommended all Canmore residents stay at home at this point in time as he expects the situation to remain serious throughout the next 24 hours.
“As long as the creek is flooding and it is continuing to rise, it is not going to change,” said the mayor. “If people don’t have to go anywhere, then by God don’t go anywhere.
“I would say staying home is the best thing anybody can do, so make sure you are well stocked up — it could be a couple of days.”
Highway 1A east of Exshaw has been washed out, the Trans-Canada Highway near Canmore has seen damage as a result of the creek flooding and the CP Rail line is also shut down due to a washout in the town.
Go to www.canmore.ca for updates on the state of emergency from the municipality.
