A weekend blizzard that transformed northern Alberta highways into dangerous icefields sparked an extraordinary community response, with volunteers working around the clock to rescue drivers stranded for up to 20 hours in whiteout conditions.
The crisis unfolded rapidly as winter weather escalated on Highway 63 toward Fort McMurray and surrounding routes. What began as a manageable traffic slowdown quickly spiralled into a full-scale emergency, with drivers running low on fuel, food, and heat as temperatures dropped and visibility plummeted.
"We Knew People Were in Trouble"
Andrew Laidlaw, coordinator of a volunteer off-road rescue team, described the moment the scope of the emergency became clear. "At first, it didn't look like it was going to be a long-term issue," Laidlaw told WestNet News. "But after a while, we kept seeing more people saying they were stranded."
The volunteer group sprang into action with remarkable speed. Within 90 minutes, the community had raised more than $2,500 in donations. That funding went directly into supplies: fuel jerry cans, non-perishable food, bottled water, and blankets were loaded into vehicles before volunteers headed into the treacherous conditions.
Laidlaw described the driving hazard as severe. Icy roads, near-zero visibility, and snowdrifts towering nearly one metre high transformed routes that normally took less than an hour into multi-hour slogs. "People were stuck, out of fuel and starting to get cold," he said.
Social Media Becomes a Lifeline
Meanwhile, volunteer Kaleshia Kiyan took on a different critical role: coordinating rescue efforts through social media. Working frantically from her home, Kiyan posted urgent appeals for supplies and connected stranded drivers with able-bodied helpers.
"I made as many posts as I could, asking for water, food and fuel," Kiyan explained. Her digital coordination proved invaluable as volunteers monitored incoming messages in real time, mapping where people were trapped and directing help to those in most urgent need.
One rescue stands out: a 19-year-old driver who had been alone in their vehicle for more than 20 hours. Through Kiyan's coordination efforts, that young driver connected with rescue volunteers and was brought to safety.
"We just kept track of where people were and tried to get help to them," Kiyan said of the exhausting weekend effort.
Highway Status and Travel Alerts
By Sunday morning, Highway 63 toward Fort McMurray had reopened to traffic. However, Highway 16 remained closed west of Jasper as crews continued clearing operations and assessing road conditions.
Drivers in the region are urged to check Alberta's 511 service for the latest traffic updates and road conditions before travelling. The province recommends against non-essential travel in affected areas until conditions stabilize.
Community Strength in Crisis
Both Laidlaw and Kiyan emphasized how quickly neighbourly support materialized during the emergency. From the first donation that came within minutes of their appeal, to the dozens of volunteers who braved dangerous roads to help strangers, the response demonstrated the resilience and compassion embedded in Alberta communities.
"It's amazing how people just showed up," Kiyan said. "When someone puts out a call for help in our community, people answer."
This story is based on reporting by Global Calgary. For ongoing coverage of weather emergencies and road conditions across Alberta, visit Global Calgary.