ABOVE: Jennifer Tryon gives us a tour of the rubble alongside highway 1A between Canmore and Calgary — including the town of Exshaw, which was hit extremely hard by flooding.
CANMORE, Alta. – It’s been virtually impossible to get in or out of Canmore the past few days.
Stretches of Highway 1A between Calgary and tourist town in the Rocky Mountains are completely underwater for kilometres, as is the train line running through the area.
Global’s Jennifer Tryon, reporting from Canmore, said the tracks are under enough water to strand a train.
On Saturday, Transport Canada issued a no-fly order to keep the airspace clear for emergencies.
NEW PHOTOS: Exshaw cut off from highway, heavy equipment buried in debris
Bow River and Cougar Creek raged through the scenic mountain town, but crews worked through the night to channel flood waters and offer some relief to the inundated community.
MORE: Extensive Alberta flood coverage from Global National crew
As the rain eased off and the sun came out, residents began to get their first looks at the extent of the flooding.
With the water levels dropping, residents whose homes sustained less damage were allowed to see what’s left.
Foundations have been completely washed away from beneath homes near the banks of Cougar Creek, leaving decks hanging off the backs of houses as properties were swallowed up by the torrent.
“We can’t decide if they’re going to have to bulldoze the houses, it’s incredible,” displaced resident Joda Cybulsky told Tryon.
Bev Carrick’s property used to stretch for about 45 metres back to the waterline. Now, they have less than three metres left to her yard.
Before they even got a chance to peek inside their home, police quickly told Carrick and her family to leave the area because it was unsafe.
“I wish we had two more minutes. If we had just two more minutes, we could have just glanced in,” she said.
Residents of the flooded community are also dealing with a shortage of supplies, gas and undrinkable water.
State of emergency
As of 1:00 p.m. MT, the Alberta government confirmed 25 states of local emergencies in southern Alberta communities, including Canmore.
Officials say the banks at Cougar Creek are unstable, and residents are being warned to stay away from it and all bodies of water.
The hospital is still functioning, but people are asked to stay away unless you have an emergency situation.
Do not go to look at waterways. You can come to town for groceries, but otherwise, stay where you are.
The Trans-Canada Highway is closed at Cougar creek eastbound – and at Highway 40 at Exshaw for westbound travel.
The 1A Highway is closed both East and Westbound at Cougar Creek.
If you are in Canmore and need help, an emergency line has been set up. Please call 403-678-1551.
CLICK HERE for updates from the Town of Canmore.
*With files from Tamara Elliott
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