Hundreds of Albertans are calling for accountability after spending hours—some overnight—trapped on Highway 63 south of Fort McMurray during a ferocious spring snowstorm that caught the region off guard Friday.
Around 300 vehicles came to a standstill as heavy snow and gale-force winds transformed the province's only major route in and out of Fort McMurray into a parking lot. Highway 63 and nearby Highway 881 remained closed until Saturday, leaving stranded motorists without food, water, heat, or clear communication about rescue efforts.
"The people that should have cared did not care fast enough until it was too late," said Diana Noble, one of the stranded drivers, speaking to WestNet News after her 13-hour ordeal ended.
Noble, who was run off the road by another vehicle while driving north from southern Alberta, was fortunate enough to be picked up by a family of five. But 100 kilometres shy of Fort McMurray, even their vehicle ground to a halt in the blinding conditions.
"People Were Left Without Basics"
Noble's experience was relatively fortunate compared to others on the highway. She described the scene as dire: "There were people stuck for 24 hours without food, without gas, without water. There were people with medical issues. There were mothers travelling with infant children with no resources available. This is an absolute travesty for Fort McMurray residents."
Judith Iwaszkiw, an emergency services professional from Fort McMurray, was also among the stranded. Despite her years of experience driving in Alberta's harsh winter conditions, she said Friday's response from authorities fell dramatically short.
Both women reported receiving minimal communication from the RCMP, provincial government, and local authorities during the crisis. Noble said she called RCMP four times without receiving meaningful information or assistance. On her final call, she alleged the officer hung up on her.
"We were not met with any compassion. The last time we called the RCMP, they actually hung up on us."
"This is gross negligence at best with how this situation was handled," Noble said. "We deserve better. I would like answers from the RCMP. I would like answers from the province."
The Storm That Caught Everyone Off Guard
Provincial officials acknowledged the storm's severity exceeded initial expectations, but that explanation offers little comfort to drivers who spent their night in vehicles without adequate supplies or communication.
Highway 63 is critical infrastructure for Fort McMurray's economy and residents. Any extended closure creates ripple effects across the region's oil sands industry and isolates the community from southern Alberta entirely.
The incident has sparked renewed conversation among Albertans about emergency preparedness on northern highways. Residents using Calgary Forums and other community platforms have begun sharing their own highway horror stories and debating what improved protocols should look like.
Both Iwaszkiw and Noble are demanding a formal review of how the emergency was managed, from initial storm forecasting to communication protocols and vehicle rescue operations. They want answers before the next winter crisis tests Alberta's highways again.
As spring gives way to summer in northern Alberta, the sting of Friday's response—or lack thereof—remains fresh for those who lived through it.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Edmonton.