EDMONTON- Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Emergency Management officials have lifted mandatory evacuation orders for two communities in Fort McMurray.
Residents in Grayling Terrace and the southernmost portion of Draper Road are being allowed back into their homes. However, they will remain on a voluntary evacuation alert, RMWB said Saturday afternoon.
Residents were forced from their homes on Thursday, after high water levels caused erosion of the banks of the overflowing Hangingstone River, which runs through Fort McMurray.
At this time, only local traffic is being allowed through Grayling Terrace. Emergency officials are asking residents to be mindful of staff who are working in the area, and stay away from the river bank.
For residents living in the southern area of Draper Road, RCMP and other emergency personnel will be assisting with re-entry to the neighbourhood.
Ptarmigan Trailer Court is still under a mandatory evacuation order.
Repair work along the river bank in Grayling Terrace is well underway. Large concrete blocks are being installed in certain sections along the bank to prevent further erosion.
RMWB says erosion control along the Hangingstone River is 75 per cent complete. Work in the area will continue over the next several days, but officials say the flood risk for McMurray is decreasing.