Flood watches and warnings issued for large swath of province

Localized flooding has been reported in the municipal districts of Big Lakes and Smoky River, and a flood watch has been issued for the Little Paddle River, the Paddle River and their tributaries northwest of Edmonton.

Drivers in the MD of Big Lakes, which includes the town of High Prairie, are warned they could encounter barricaded roads because of washouts or flooding from snowmelt.

The Alberta Emergency Alert system website urges residents to take all necessary precautions and check with local authorities for updates.

“Be aware of areas known to flood easily such as streams, drainage channels and canyons. Avoid rivers, valleys and low-lying areas. Use caution when travelling on municipal roads. Be prepared to use alternate routes.”

Flooding is also affecting municipal roads and bridges in parts of the MD of Smoky River, which includes the town of Falher. Flood waters peaked at 9 p.m. Sunday and are now receding.

“Municipal public works has identified over 400 locations where road infrastructure has been damaged and are repairing roads,” the website notes.

“Be prepared to use alternate routes. Watch for new traffic control devices in the region. Do not approach flowing ditches, flood-control works or streams and rivers.”

In the Barrhead area, a flood watch has been issued for the Little Paddle River, the Paddle River and their tributaries.

Rivers are running high because of snowmelt, meaning water may breach the bank levels.

For a wide swath of central Alberta — north, south and east of Edmonton — significant run-off is expected because of snowmelt, which could cause localized overland flooding, The areas primarily affected include Grande Prairie east to Cold Lake, extending south to Edmonton, as well as the Battle River basin, southeast of Edmonton.