Sector 1, outlined in purple, encompasses the northwest communities affected by the High River flood. Photo: Town of High River.
Only High River flood victims in northwest quadrant allowed home Saturday
The RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces personnel kept residents out of town following High River flood. Twitter photo courtesy Leigh Patrick Sullivan @LeighPatrick
High River flood victims are returning to their community more than a week after floods submerged most of the town and forced the entire population of 13,000 to flee.
The return will be managed in a staged manner starting Saturday at noon.
The Alberta government says that to ensure a safe and orderly return, residents will first enter the High River Welcome Centre, a ‘one stop shop’ to provide residents with information and resources to support their return.
Only residents from Sector 1, in the northwest corner of the city, will be allowed to visit the centre. Sector 1 is the only area to be declared safe for human habitation and includes the following neighbourhoods:
- Lineham Acres
- Eagleview Estates
- Polo Park
- Highwood Village
- Vista Mirage
- High Park
- High Country
The Centre will be housed at the High River Agricultural Society Rodeo Grounds, located at 64137 Secondary Highway 543 (corner of Highway 2A and Secondary Highway 543).
Residents from other parts of town will be allowed to return as those sectors are declared safe, according to the government, which was asked by the Town of High River to take over flood emergency measures.
Upon entry, returning residents will receive the following information:
The classification of their homes and/or businesses, including the severity of damage. This may include damage from water, sewer backup and/or debris, possibly including windows, doors, structural damage and mold.
There may also be entry damage sustained when the RCMP and military conducted the initial search to ensure that everyone was out of the home and safe. Compensation is available.
Homes have been colour-coded as follows:
- Green: habitable
- Yellow: minor impact, requires clean up, possible repairs, remains habitable
- Orange: damaged, requires extensive repairs or renovations, not immediately habitable
- Red: severely damaged, uninhabitable
Residents who visit the centre will also receive information on clean up procedures and the resources available to assist them, mental health and other social assistance, an information kit.
A boil water advisory remains in effect for the Town of High River. Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to using it for domestic purposes, including drinking, making infant formula and juices, brushing teeth, washing raw foods and making ice.
Alternatively, residents may choose to use bottled water.
Water used for bathing, or for laundering of clothing, does not need to be boiled.
High River residents who have questions can call 310-4455 for updated information.
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