MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Floodwatchers in the eastern Alberta city of Medicine Hat believe water levels on the South Saskatchewan River have peaked and flooding won’t be as severe as initially feared.
The water has managed to top sandbag barriers in some areas of the city and there has been flooding in some neighbourhoods, but other defences remain dry.
“We believe the crest has occurred and we have seen the worst of the flooding,” the city said in a release to the media. At least 10,000 people in Medicine Hat’s flood zone were instructed over the weekend to head for higher ground as the city prepared for the surge of water that swamped Calgary and surrounding areas last week.
Two of the three bridges that connect the city’s north and south were also closed amid fears the river would overrun them.
WATCH: Medicine Hat flooding update
While it is good news that the flooding didn’t appear as bad as initially feared, the bad news is that it will stay high for several days.
Ron Robinson, director of emergency measures in Medicine Hat, got an aerial view of the flooding Sunday. Many areas were inundated with water, he said.
“You’d almost think we’re in the muddy waters of the Mississippi right now that surrounds a lot of these homes,” said Robinson. “It’s actually quite tragic in some areas.” The closed sections of the city are being patrolled by police to guard against possible looting.
WATCH: Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi gives update on recovery process
In Calgary people were returning to assess the damage and begin the long process of cleaning up.
Residents have been warned there is still a long way to go before the city and its downtown would be back to normal, although crews were working hard to clean up and restore utilities.
People in High River, the community hardest hit by the flooding, didn’t have much reason for optimism. Mayor Emile Blokland said there was still no timeline for when 13,000 evacuees would be able to return.
He said he understood their frustration, but explained that the town’s infrastructure had suffered a “critical blow” and every house needed to be inspected.
WATCH: Frustration in High River
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