A Red Cross reception centre will be set up in the southern Alberta community of Beiseker at the Beiseker Community Hall located at 5 Street at 2 p.m. Tuesday for residents affected by overland flooding.
About a dozen properties have been affected by floodwaters, which led officials to declare a state of local emergency Monday morning, according to village CAO Jo Lambert. Officials worry the situation will get worse before it gets better.
WATCH: Pumps have been going non-stop in the Village of Beiseker as overland flooding has hit at least five homes. As Lauren Pullen reports, officials fear the worst may be yet to come.
Lambert said Beiseker is a low spot in Rocky View County, adding that water from areas north of the village flows south through the town, heightening the flood risk.
“For your own safety, please stay away from drainage ditches and any fast-flowing water; avoid driving on flooded streets, and if you have water in your basement, stay away from electrical panels,” a public service announcement sent Tuesday reads.
Several towns and counties across Alberta have been declaring states of local emergency in recent weeks due to flooding, including Lethbridge County, Lamont County and the Siksika Nation.
An estimated five homes have been damaged in the village by the flood waters, including one belonging councillor Nikki King, who told Global News this is the worst flooding she has seen in at least 20 years.
Officials are working to build a berm to redirect the water, which residents have been pumping out of basements since about 6 a.m. Monday.
WATCH: Footage shot by our Global1 helicopter captures a home underwater from overland flooding in southern Alberta.
The rising waters are also encroaching on Highway 72, threatening to cross over the main road.
— With files from Lauren Pullen
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