Flood alert issued for Peace River, Alta.; prepare for possible evacuation
The Town of Peace River issued a flood alert late Thursday afternoon, warning residents of the northern Alberta community to prepare for a possible evacuation “on very short notice.”
In an emergency alert issued at 4:49 p.m. MT, officials said there is a potential of flooding of the Heart River and surrounding areas.
Shortly after, the a town also declared a State of Local Emergency.
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Peace River is roughly 385 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
Residents from the Highway 2 bridge to 104th Avenue, in the town's south end, are affected, the alert said, adding it's also in effect for all of downtown and areas near the Heart River.
People are being asked to make sure their vehicles have fuel, gather important documents as well as medication, and to get their pets ready in case they need to leave their homes.
Town officials said residents are being asked to avoid areas near waterways.
A higher-than-normal snowpack is influencing Peace River's spring melt, according to the town's website. It says ice jams blocking the flow of rivers are posing the main flood risk.
Peace River previously declared a state of local emergency in April 2020, due to flooding caused by an ice jam. The emergency declaration allowed the town to call in assistance to deal with the flood.
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"If you live in a low-lying area, do not let your guard down. Please continue to stay prepared, keep your emergency bag ready, and keep a close eye on updates," reads a city update from Thursday morning.
"The safety of residents remains our top priority."
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This article was originally published for CBC News.