Whitecourt declares state of local emergency due to flooding
Posted June 20, 2023 11:43 am.
Last Updated June 20, 2023 1:54 pm.
Another Alberta community has declared a state of local emergency after heavy rainfall.
Officials in Whitecourt made the announcement Tuesday morning due to substantial flooding in the town.
That included a mandatory evacuation order for the Sagitawah RV park and the Westview Village mobile home park.
Traffic in the area has also been impacted due to flooded roads, with Highway 32 reduced to a single lane.
Festival Park, Riverside Trail and other amenities were closed.
A flood watch is in effect for the Mcleod and Athabasca rivers at Whitecourt, roughly 180 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
WATCH: Edson residents return to floods after fleeing wildfires
The Town of Edson was placed under a local state of emergency due to flooding Monday, and an evacuation order was issued for Lower Robb in Yellowhead County
Communities in Yellowhead County – as well as firefighters – were hoping for rain after being evacuated twice this spring due to encroaching wildfires.
https://twitter.com/kevinzahara/status/1670967076696256512
Officials say there are numerous roads in the county that are inundated with water.
“We asked for rain and boy did we get it – and way too much,” Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara said in Monday’s video update.
“Honestly, I can’t believe that we’re standing back here,” added Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams.
Much of central and northern Alberta has seen significant rainfall in recent days, prompting several flood watches and high streamflow advisories.
—With files from The Canadian Press
