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Summary
Road conditions are showing signs of improvement and crews have begun the task of repairing roadways that have suffered the worst damage, reads a press statement from Siksika First Nation, which declared a State of Local Emergency earlier this week due to overland flooding.
Signage is in place on roads that are closed. All travel on the Nation’s gravel roads are at drivers’ own risk. There is currently a tow ban in Siksika until further notice.
Although some sections of the roads that are classified as high priority are underwater, the main issues facing the emergency management team is the mud and the damage cause by vehicles driving on these roads.
A reception centre has been set up at the Deerfoot Sportsplex for Elders and Nation members who have been identified as high risk and requiring access to health care services. All efforts are being made to ensure that their health will not be adversely affected during the state of local emergency.
At this time there has not been a mandatory evacuation of homes in Siksika. Homes have been identified as high risk, and the team will deal with them if conditions change.
For the safety of children, the speed limit on Highway 901 as it runs through the entire reserve is reduced to 80km/hr from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the state of local emergency is lifted.
Bus routes have been changed and pick up an drop off points are located just off highway 901 due to inaccessible driveways.
As of 8 a.m. today, there has been a ban on media traveling in and around Siksika Nation after a number of community member complaints about media knocking on doors asking for interviews.
Updates on the flooding situation can be found at the Siksika Media Facebook page.