Flooding surrounds the irrigation pivots south of Burdett after a weekend of rain and melting snow in the County of Forty Mile.--SUBMITTED PHOTO KIM MACDONALD CAMERON
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Thirteen sections of road were closed throughout the County of Forty Mile on Monday, as rain and melted snow contributed to flooding.
Director of emergency management Stewart Payne says the county is working diligently to close off unsafe roads.
“We’ve had roads being overtopped by runoff water throughout the county, so our county crews are out marking them and barricading them if they’re more dangerous,” he said.
The St. Mary’s River Irrigation District notified the county Saturday that it was having canal issues.
“We scrambled to assist and make sure our ratepayers that were in potentially hazardous areas were warned,” said Payne. “We’ve been co-ordinating with that ever since.”
As of press time, Payne said only a few yards had been flooded.
“I’m unaware of any homes that are currently damaged, though there are plenty at risk,” he said. “The water flowing has eroded some of the roads, so there is road damage.”
There’s no need for evacuation at this point, Payne added.
County flood mitigation efforts are underway.
“Unless you can get 100 per cent of them, they’re never sufficient, but they’re ongoing,” said Payne.
For a full list of road closures in the county, visit http://40mile.ca/residents/news-public-notices/.
