As of June 23, the voluntary evacuation has been lifted for residents of Bow Meadows, Crawford Ranch, Riverview and West Terrace Point near the water plant in Cochrane.
Cochrane Fire Chief Mac deBeaudrap advised residents during a press conference at the RancheHouse June 22 to stay away from the water. At this time, there was no way of determining if the banks of the Bow River are eroding, and the area could be extremely dangerous.
Residents of Bragg Creek are now permitted to return, if it is necessary that they do so; if not, they are being asked to remain away at this point.
Redwood Meadows worked to repair its berm the morning of June 22, as a section had been washed away overnight.
Rocky View County (RVC) and the Town of Cochrane both issued a state of emergency due to increased flooding and rising water levels throughout the region over the past two days.
Fortis Alberta cut power in the Bragg Creek area June 20 for safety reasons, leaving the community in the dark overnight.
Bragg Creek evacuees were housed at the Springbank Park for all Seasons if they were unable to stay with a friend or relatives in the area.
Chief deBeaudrap said army troops will be in Cochrane setting up a staging area at the old arena to assist neighbouring communities, but are not needed for Cochrane.
On June 20 several volunteers and emergency workers placed sandbags along Jumping Pound Creek to alleviate potential flooding to the area.
“The people of Cochrane should be commended for their volunteerism and commitment,” said deBeaudrap.
If a mandatory evacuation is called, deBeaudrap said the town would broadcast the announcement widely through local media and the town’s social media outlets and would go door-to-door. The town’s website is currently down.
Volunteers and donations are not required at this time and there is no boil water advisory in Cochrane, as water quality remains high, but residents are being urged to use water minimally.
“Travelling the area is not recommended,” said deBeaudrap, “particularly into Calgary.”
Airdrie sent a fire crew to Cochrane June 20 to ensure there was fire protection in the community while local personnel were helping elsewhere.
All Cochrane firefighters are safe and accounted for.
“I have never been prouder of our guys,” said deBeaudrap. “They’re putting heroic efforts in doing recues in Bragg Creek.”
At approximately 1:30 p.m. June 20, two Cochrane firefighters and two rescuees had to be saved from fast-flowing water on White Ave. in Bragg Creek near the Bavarian Inn.
Cochrane, Redwood Meadows and RVC Emergency Services conducted several rescues in Bragg Creek throughout the day.
Redwoood Meadows Emergency Services’ deputy fire chief George Low said Cochrane Fire Services assisted with Zodiac boats to rescue people who were trapped in their houses and could no longer be reached by land.
“We’ve got county resources as well as Redwood resources,” said Low June 20. “At this stage it’s pretty fluid, as long as it keeps raining the water’s not going down, so we’re trying to stay as reactive as possible.”
Morley also experienced flooding, with Cochrane RCMP on scene, Volker Stevin also assisting and now Canadian troops in the Stoney Nakoda community.
The Town of Cochrane continues to monitor high stream flows and is advising residents to be vigilant of water levels in their area.
Canmore, High River and Turner Valley have declared state of emergencies.
Highway 1, 1A and 40 are all closed to traffic.
The Town of Cochrane has set up a command centre at the RancheHouse to address this emergency.
