An ice jam on the Athabasca River near Fort McMurray. (The Canadian Press/Greg Halinda)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

may 3

Province gives update on flooding situation in the north

May 3, 2020 | 2:48 PM

Flood response efforts continue for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Mackenzie County as several northern communities face evacuation orders.

A provincial update on Sunday says ice jams on the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers in Fort McMurray, as well as the Peace River in Mackenzie County, have led to evacuations for some residents in Fort Vermilion, Little Red River Cree Nation and Tallcree First Nation, in addition to Fort McMurray.

The flood warning for those rivers is no longer in effect. However, an ice jam warning is in effect for the Athabasca from the Firebag River to the Peace Athabasca Delta.

The order for Draper was lifted May 2 after the ice jam there released.

The River Forecast Centre does not anticipate further flooding on either river, however there is a new ice jam on the Peace River near Garden River.

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Evacuation orders and advisories

• In the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the mandatory evacuation order remains in place for the residents of Garden Lane in Draper.
• The order for the remaining community of Draper was lifted on May 2. All other areas previously under order were allowed to return home on May 1; returning residents are being issued bottled water.
• Approximately 3680 people whose homes were affected, including 19 residents of Draper, remain evacuated at this time.
• Mackenzie County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the residents within the Hamlet of Fort Vermilion that reside east of 50th Street, north of the golf course, River Road and Boreal Housing, and all of North Vermilion (Buttertown).
• Re-entry planning for Fort Vermilion is underway.
• Little Red River Cree Nation issued an evacuation order on April 28 for Garden River.
• As of April 28, approximately 700 people in Little Red River Cree Nation have been evacuated.
• About 505 people were evacuated from Fort Vermilion, Buttertown and rural Mackenzie County to hotels in High Level and private accommodations

Boil water advisories remain in place for all of Fort McMurray, Fort Vermilion and several rural hamlets including Anzac, Draper, Gregoire Lake Estates, and Saprae Creek Estates.

Assistance

Residents who need assistance should register directly with the Canadian Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582 (between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. MT) in order to receive information on further assistance and support programs.

Meantime, Canada Post has suspended all mail delivery to Fort McMurray. Residents can visit the link or call 1-866-607-6301 for updates.

Evacuees needing pet supplies are asked to contact the Fort McMurray SPCA at 780-742-8997.

In Mackenzie County, residents should register by calling 780-927-3718. Little Red River Cree Nation has established a reception centre at John D’Or School.

Announced earlier this week, residents of northern Alberta who were evacuated due to spring floods will receive funding of $1,250 per adult and $500 per dependent child.

• Evacuees can apply for their emergency evacuation payments online beginning May 4, at noon. It can take 24-48 hours for funds to be e-transferred into bank accounts.
• Information on the application process can be found at alberta.ca/emergency, starting May 4.

Albertans who wish to help can donate to the Red Cross by calling 1-800-418-1111, the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-725-2769, or the Samaritan’s Purse online.