Residents of Bragg Creek are now under a mandatory evacuation because of rising water levels and flooding in the area. Those living in West Bragg Creek remain under a voluntary evacuation.
Residents of Bragg Creek are now under a mandatory evacuation because of rising water levels and flooding in the area. Those living in West Bragg Creek remain under a voluntary evacuation.
Rocky View County (RVC) and the Town of Cochrane have both issued a state of emergency due to increased flooding and rising water levels throughout the area.
Fortis Alberta has indicated that it must cut power in the Bragg Creek area for safety reasons, leaving the community in the dark.
The county is asking that all Bragg Creek area residents evacuate to Springbank Park for all Seasons or Banded Peak School immediately. Residents are advised to pack light and remember to take any medications they may need.
Cochrane Fire Chief Mac deBeaudrap said water levels in Jumping Pound Creek and the Bow River are up but there is no imminent flooding risk.
"Residents are not at risk, but we have opened a reception centre at Frank Wills Hall to receive people from Bighorn Lac des Arcs who have been evacuated," said deBeaudrap. "We've sent a lot of our resources from Cochrane down to Bragg Creek and Lac des Arcs."
Airdrie sent a fire crew to Cochrane to ensure there is fire protection in the community while local personnel are helping elsewhere. Cochrane firefighters are expected to return by 6 p.m. today (June 20).
All Cochrane firefighters are safe at this time.
"I have never been prouder of our guys," said deBeaudrap. "They're putting heroic efforts in doing recues in Bragg Creek."
At approximately 1:30 p.m., two Cochrane firefighters and two rescuees had to be rescued from fast-flowing water on White Ave. in Bragg Creek near the Bavarian Inn.
Cochrane, Redwood Meadows and RVC Emergency Services conducted several rescues in Bragg Creek throughout the day.
Redwoood Meadows Emergency Services' deputy fire chief George Low said Cochrane Fire Services assisted with Zodiac boats to rescue people who were trapped in their houses and could no longer be reached by land.
"We've got county resources as well as Redwood resources," said Low. "At this stage it's pretty fluid, as long as it keeps raining the water's not going down, so we're trying to stay as reactive as possible."
The county had identified three areas of concern earlier in the day: 1) a voluntary evacuation for Bracken Ridge, Yoho Tinda, Wintergreen and West Bragg Creek; the bridge on Balsam Avenue may be crested and closed, which would limit emergency access to the area; 2) RVC may be forced to close down the entire area due to flooding; and 3) White Avenue near the 100 block is closed due to flooding.
The last time the area saw flooding of this magnitude was in 2005.
Morley is also experiencing flooding, with Cochrane RCMP on scene and Volker Stevin also assisting in the Stoney Nakoda community.
The Town of Cochrane is monitoring what it called 'high stream flows' and is advising residents to be vigilant of water levels in their area.
Residents of the Benchlands area northwest of Cochrane have indicated they are also experiencing high water levels and flooding.
Canmore, High River and Turner Valley have declared state of emergencies.
Highway 1, 1A and 40 are all closed to traffic.
The Town of Cochrane has set up a command centre at the RancheHouse to address the emergency.
