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A local state of emergency has been declared for Calgary and Canmore, Alta., as heavy rain has caused flooding and road and highway closures around Canmore, Banff, and Kananaskis.
City officials in Calgary say 100,000 people will be evacuated from low-lying neighbourhoods in Western Canada's second-largest city.
Heavy rainfall warnings are also in effect for Airdrie, Nordegg, and Rocky Mountain House.
In Calgary, evacuation orders have been issued for Mission, Elbow Park, Stanley Park, Roxboro, Rideau and Discovery Ridge. Evacuated residents have been advised to find alternative accommodation – with friends, family, etc. – for a minimum of 72 hours.
The City of Calgary said waters will rise above levels from a flood in 2005.
Mandatory evacuations have also been declared for areas of Okotoks, Alta. as waters rise in the Sheep River, reports CTV News. Alerts for high water have been issued to Cochrane and Crowsnest Pass, and rising waters are affecting parts of northeast, central, and southern Alberta.
Water is headed toward Calgary. We can expect more rain in coming days. Right now it is projected water will exceed 2005 levels @pootmans
— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) June 20, 2013
How bad is the flooding in #HighRiver? The local country station is off the air now as their station is underwater. #abflood #abstorm
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) June 20, 2013
In B.C., flooding and washouts have closed highways around Kaslo, according to the Arrow Lakes News.
Below is a map of Kaslo in relation to the Rocky Mountains and Southern Alberta:
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Photos and Videos below...
(Photo above: Twitter from @RyanBlondia @KelseyTWN)
For those not familiar with Canmore, here's a before and after shot of the Trans-Canada HWY in Canmore: pic.twitter.com/SqGAMsNDbp
— Drew Goldsack (@Goldsack) June 20, 2013