Alberta Emergency Alert has issued a spring runoff advisory April 4, indicating the potential of significant runoff due to snowmelt with the onset of spring and subsequent warmer weather.
“We recommend people be aware of what’s happening around them as snow melts,” said Sarah Jackson, a spokesperson for public affairs.
“If people see significant pooling start to happen or sewers starting to back up, they should notify their municipality.”
Mac deBeaudrap, senior manager of protective services for the town, said while the advisory relates to overland flooding (pooling of water due to snow melt) Cochranites can take precautionary measures to mitigate overland flooding.
He said that people should take care to ensure they shovel snow away from their homes; to check all downspouts and drainage systems are free and clear of debris; and to ensure that all downspouts and pointed down and away from their house — but not onto their neighbour’s property.
“When is starts to melt, I would anticipate there will be pooling of water,” said deBeaudrap. “Last year’s events were an exceptional event…this advisory is to warn people about overland flooding, which is entirely different.”
With respect to the potential for flooding again due to heavy rainfall and runoff from the mountains, deBeaudrap explained that the town has been moving forward with their flood mitigation projects, but that most projects would not be completed by June.
In addition to ‘constant monitoring’, deBeaudrap said emergency services would pay extra attention to high-risk flood areas this spring season, including Jumping Pound Creek, Big Hill Creek and the area by the Cochrane Water Treatment Plant.
“We will be out there sandbagging,” said deBeaudrap, adding that the town has significantly increased its sandbag stock and members of emergency services continue to take part in flood mitigation workshops through the province.
