Several areas affected by Alberta Environment's Flood Watches and High Streamflow Advisories are close to Whitecourt, and now, flooding risk has forced the evacuation of Sagitawah RV park.
The emergency evacuation order came down around 3pm Wednesday after water began overflowing the banks of the Athabasca River. RCMP were called to the RV park to help in the evacuation.
Dale Ellerby was worried about this trailer, and even though he thinks his insurance will cover any damage, he was wishing he could just go and get it.
"It's kind of annoying that they won't let a guy in there."
Cpl. Dean Purcka of the Whitecourt RCMP says the risk is too high, though.
"If the road decides to wash away, then we have no way to get back in there to help these people, and they have no way to escape either."
Campers are being moved to the parking lots of the Whitecourt Curling Club and the Forest Interpretive Centre.
So far the R.V. park is the only site in immediate danger, but officials are keeping a close watch elsewhere. Several low-lying areas are already under water, and it's slowly creeping closer to some residential areas.
"They are expecting the flood levels to reach the one they had in the 1950's but it's gonna be hard to say," says Whitecourt town councillor Maryann Chichak. "We're going to have to wait until tomorrow morning to see where it actually does crest and how high it gets."
A slow moving low pressure system has brought 90-110 mm of precipitation to the Grande Cache, Hinton, Jasper, Edson and Whitecourt regions, with some higher amounts locally.
The low pressure system moved into Saskatchewan Tuesday evening, and although Alberta will see scattered showers over the next few days, no organized precipitation is expected. River levels are expected to continue to rise over ht next few days, and river conditions are being monitored.
Alberta Environment has issued High Streamflow Advisories for Smoky River and its tributaries, Athabasca River and its tributaries upstream of Whitecourt, Paddle River and its tributaries upstream of the Paddle Dam, Pembina River and its tributaries, McLeod River and its tributaries upstream of the Town of Whitecourt, and the North Saskatchewan River.
A High Streamflow Advisory is issued when stream levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in lowlying areas is possible. Anyone situated close to the streams affected is advised to be cautious of the rising levels.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Athabasca River from the Town of Whitecourt to the Town of Athabasca, Paddle River and its tributaries downstream of Paddle Dam including the Town of Barrhead, Little Paddle River, Freeman River, Swan River, Driftpile River, and East Prairie River.
A Flood Watch is issued when stream levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bank full. Flooding of areas adjacent to these streams may occur. Anyone situated close to the river is advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.