CALGARY — Updated June 21st, 2013 4:50am — City officials are warning Calgarians to avoid the downtown area specifically, near the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
State of Local Emergency Declared
A state of local emergency has been declared for the city of Calgary due to the potential of significant flooding. The level of the Elbow and Bow Rivers continue to rise at a rapid pace.
Mandatory Evacuations Extended
Due to an increase in the flows of the Bow River, immediate evacuation notices have been issued for the low-lying areas of Bowness and Sunnyside. Portions of the following communities are facing mandatory evacuation orders: Mission, Elbow Park, Stanley Park, Roxboro, Rideau, Westmount, and Montgomery.
Transit Service Disrupted
Due to rising water and flooding risk, Calgary Transit CTrain service is being limited to those areas not impacted by potential flooding, effective immediately. In the south, CTrain service will run between Somerset and Heritage stations.
School Closures
On Friday, June 21, 2013 ALL SCHOOLS for both the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District will be closed due to ongoing flooding issues in Calgary and region.
Flood Water Safety
The City of Calgary is currently experiencing a local state of emergency due to incoming high river flows and potential flooding. There may be significant risks to Calgarians. The City’s waterways, including dry ponds and wet ponds, can be dangerous.
Elbow Drive, Calgary during the 2013 flood.
