Kenney offers support to Fort McMurray as floods chase people from downtown
Posted April 28, 2020 8:33 am.
Last Updated April 28, 2020 12:37 pm.
FORT MCMURRAY — Officials in Fort McMurray say a 25-kilometre ice jam that caused major flooding and forced about 12,000 people from their homes in the city’s downtown is shrinking.
But they say it remains a critical situation because the Clearwater River is still rising and the Athabasca River has only dropped by four centimetres.
Don Scott, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, says the ice jam is still about 22 1/2 kilometres long.
He says it has caused the worst flooding in the region in 100 years and will have a devastating impact on the downtown.
A second state of local emergency is in effect in Fort McMurray, on top of one declared last month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Jason Kenney said during a news conference late Monday that the province will be there for Fort McMurray.
“We took a flight over the city and saw the impact. It’s very significant,” he said.
“This, of course, adds to … a community that has struggled with the fire five years ago, with several years of economic adversity and now with the coronavirus pandemic and now these floods.”
Kenney said he toured the area to offer support.
“We will provide all resources that are necessary,” he said.
Kenney said officials would work with the municipality to request the federal government’s support if it’s needed, but a formal request had yet to be made.
#FortMcMurray has had Alberta’s back and all of Canada’s back – contributing mightily to our shared prosperity.
Now with #ymmflood they face a once-in-a-century event, and they need us to have their back.
You can count on us to be there. #ymmstrong pic.twitter.com/laJ2wqswzk
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) April 28, 2020
The federal government said it is also ready to help.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Fort McMurray during this difficult time,” said an email statement from Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair.
“While no formal requests have been made, our government is ready to help when called upon.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2020
The Canadian Press
