Slave Lake hit by flooding, rainfall warning for Grande Prairie
Some highways in the Slave Lake area closed by flooding Friday afternoon have reopened, though many others remain closed.
The Slave Lake airport received 81mm of rain last night and this morning, according to Environment Canada. Highway 2 had been closed where it meets Highway 88 east of Slave Lake but has since reopened. Highway 88 remains closed four kilometres north of the junction with Highway 2 north of Slave Lake. A detour is available in the northeast corner of the Town of Slave Lake from 12th Avenue to Tamarack Road.
Highway 2 is also closed at the Mooney Creek Bridge west of Slave Lake. Highway 33 north of Swan Hills is now closed from the junction with Highway 32 to the junction with Highway 2.
The Klondyke Ferry, which carries Highway 661 traffic across the Athabasca River east of Fort Assiniboine, remains shut down.
The heavy rains are expected to continue throughout the remainder of Friday and into Saturday, with 50 to 75mm falling in the Peace River, Grande Prairie, Hinton, Westlock, Whitecourt and Slave Lake areas. Flood watches are being issued across the area.
There have been reports to the Fox Creek RCMP that water is covering the highway at Virginia Hills and Highway 43 in the northbound lanes. The highway is currently passable, but the water is building. Also, the Klondyke Ferry, which carries Highway 661 traffic across the Athabasca River east of Fort Assiniboine, has been shut down.
The Canadian Red Cross will provide assistance to families in Slave Lake and surrounding flood-affected communities in northern Alberta, offering essentials such as shelter, food, clothing and hygiene kits over the next 72 hours. More staff and volunteers will be on standby in case the situation becomes more severe.
A rainfall warning has also been issued for the Grande Prairie region.
Between 160 - 200 mm of rain is in the forecast for the region between Friday and Saturday.
Updated information on road closures can be found on the Alberta Motor Association website.