Residents across central and southern Alberta are surveying the damage after up to 150 millimetres of rain fell in less than 24 hours, triggering widespread flooding and streamflow warnings.
Frank Frigo, Calgary's manager of environmental management, confirmed the intense precipitation saturated the Bow and Elbow River basins. For the first time, water was diverted from the Elbow River into the Springbank off-stream reservoir over the weekend. The normally dry, $800-million infrastructure project was built west of Calgary specifically to prevent a repeat of the devastating 2013 flood.
Calgary Fire Department public information officer Alex Kwan issued a stern warning for people and pets to avoid riverbanks. Officials noted the water is extremely cold, near 12C, with a powerful current full of debris such as branches and trees that create lethal underwater hazards.
In Akenside, east of Edmonton, a bridge on Township Road 534 was completely washed out. Residents reported that beaver dams blocked a culvert, causing pressure to build over several days until the entire structure collapsed and took the road with it.
Emergency alerts remain active for Beaver County and Lac Ste. Anne County, where overland flooding has rendered many roads impassable. Officials are conducting damage assessments and urge motorists to avoid travel or check Alberta 511 for closures. While the heaviest rain has passed, Environment Canada forecasts possible thundershowers in the coming days.