Draper, Alta., is under evacuation alert after an ice jam near Fort McMurray pushed up water levels and flooded local access routes.
A small northern Alberta community southeast of Fort McMurray has been placed on evacuation alert as ice jam flooding raises water levels along the Clearwater River and threatens local access routes.
Emergency officials said Tuesday that everyone in Draper should be prepared to leave on short notice because of increased overland flooding. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued the alert in an advisory shortly after 8:30 a.m., citing the potential for an ice jam flooding event along the Clearwater River.
Officials said an ice jam on the Athabasca River near Fort McMurray is causing water levels to rise on the Clearwater. The advisory warned that flooding could affect travel in and out of the community on Garden Lane and River Bend Close. By Tuesday morning, parts of Garden Lane were already washed out and covered by icy water.
Draper is a rural neighbourhood of about 137 people, located roughly 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray along the Clearwater River. It is one of several areas in the region watching for possible flood damage as spring breakup sends river ice north and increases the risk of jams.
A provincial ice jam watch advisory issued at 8 a.m. Tuesday said river breakup began in Fort McMurray on Monday evening. An ice jam formed through town around 11 p.m., raising water levels by about 5.5 metres on the Athabasca River and 4.5 metres on the Clearwater River, according to the advisory.
Municipal officials have urged Draper residents to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit, make an emergency plan and follow local emergency advisories. Residents were also told to review home insurance policies and contact emergency responders if they know of neighbours who may need help evacuating.
Conditions can shift quickly during breakup season. The municipality said Monday that ice conditions may change with little warning as temperatures warm, and officials have been monitoring several ice jams by helicopter and drone, including one about 20 kilometres long on the Athabasca River upstream from Fort McMurray’s Thickwood area.
The Fort McMurray region has a long history of ice jam flooding at the meeting point of the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers. In April 2020, a major Athabasca River ice jam temporarily displaced about 13,000 residents and damaged more than 1,200 structures downtown.
Officials were expected to provide a further update on river conditions Tuesday afternoon. Until then, residents in Draper were being told to stay ready to leave if the alert is upgraded.
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