Tensions rise in High River.

Serious health dangers remain in damaged town, officials say

HIGH RIVER — As High River officials assessed the damage and constructed berms to prevent flood waters from causing more destruction to the flood-ravaged town, residents said they are looking for answers on when they can return home.

The state of local emergency and mandatory evacuation order remained in effect Monday for the community south of Calgary. Residents were still drawn to the perimeter — and one man on the weekend brandished a knife at RCMP in an attempt to get to his home.

Mayor Emile Blokland cited safety concerns as the reason people can’t return.

“We need people to stay away from the town of High River; it is not a safe place to be,” he said. “We have nothing in terms of supplies for you once you get here. We need you to stay away.”

Inundated by flood waters, the town’s sewage system remains non-operational, parts of it buried under a metre of mud, said officials. Electrical, plumbing and health inspectors roved the town to assess the damage, as crews worked on berms in the northeast and southeast areas to protect the community from further flooding. RCMP officers, outfitted in hip waders, were out with town officials checking homes to ensure no one was in need of rescue.

Contractors are working to rebuild roads washed out by the floods and to pump out massive pools of water, which pose a serious health threat, warned one health official.

“The threat is real in terms of infection,” said Dr. Richard Musto, with Alberta Health Services. “The water that has flooded the land is contaminated with viruses, bacteria and parasites.”

Standing at an intersection on Highway 2 near High River, Ken and Leora Gerber strained their eyes trying to spot the home they were forced to flee last Thursday as flood waters invaded their neighbourhood.

Four days after authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation of the town, the couple is left wondering what remains of their home and desperately seeking answers from officials — specifically when they and their neighbours will be allowed back in.

“I know it’s a disaster ... but they could give us an update about what’s happening,” Ken Gerber said. “Until we get home, then that’s when the crap hits the fan.”

Earlier Monday, authorities in High River, including the mayor and RCMP, were urging patience as crews worked to repair and restore critical infrastructure, but couldn’t say when residents would be allowed to return to homes.

“We know this has been trying,” RCMP Cpl. Laurel Kading said. “But our primary focus is to determine if there are people to rescue. We’re asking people to maintain their patience.”

With a gas leak, power disruptions and unknown hazards lurking under the murky waters, Kading says it’s still very dangerous in the town.

“I don’t think people are understanding how unsafe it is to go back in.”

Although most of the town was evacuated, about 240 people refuse to leave their homes and are straining rescue and recovery efforts, said Brian Cornforth, chief of emergency operations.

Those “found-ins” have been asked to leave and been warned that there is no way to refresh any supplies if they run out, Cornforth added.

RCMP said roughly 2,500 residences have been checked, including apartment buildings, since the evacuation was ordered.

A High River man worried about his pet is facing weapons charges after brandishing a knife at RCMP officers while trying to get past a checkpoint on the perimeter of the town.