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Home...Emergency PreparednessHazardsRiver Breakup
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River Breakup

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Flood Mitigation
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River Updates
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What is river breakup?

During the spring months, there is an increased risk of flooding when ice on the Athabasca, Clearwater and Christina rivers begins to melt and break apart. Stay informed with information on ice forecasting and warning and ice jam flooding. 

River breakup preparedness

Residents may see a number of temporary measures installed in the downtown area, including triple dams (water filled barriers), temporary clay berms, pumps and plugs. There will be temporary road closures and temporary trail closures to allow for these measures. Information of the temporary measures and their locations can be found here.

 Before river breakup
  •  Be aware and stay informed
  • Watch out for thin ice and stay away from riverbanks 
  • Sign up for Emergency Alerts from the Municipality and the Province
  • Tune into the Alberta Environment website for real-time advisories and warnings
  • Listen to local media
  • Tune into this website, Twitter or Facebook
  • Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
  • Make an emergency plan for your household
  • Prepare an emergency kit for your household
  • Learn the river breakup evacuation zones
  • Review your insurance policy and check to ensure you have overland and sewer backup flooding insurance
  • Take a video with the date displayed of your belongings
  • Install backflow valves in sump pumps, the floor, sink, toilet, and washing machine drains in your basement to prevent sewer backups. There is a Backwater Valve Grant program available. 
  • Install weather protection sealants around basement windows and ground-level doors
  • Check sump pumps to check they are working
  • Landscape and build-up areas against your foundation to keep water moving away. There are free sandbag materials available. 
  • Confirm downspouts are at least six feet away from your basement wall and are working (check to ensure the water does not drain onto your neighbour's property)
  • If your property is next to a ditch or stream, keep the banks clear of brush and other debris
  • Store valuable items on the upper floors of your home, away from the basement
  • If flooding is close, shut off electricity and put up barrier for basement windows and doors
  • Clear snow away from your home's foundation
 During a flood
  • Follow evacuation instructions
  • Do not walk through moving water or standing water
  • Do not drive through flooded areas
  • If your vehicle stalls in rising waters, all passengers should get out and go to higher ground
  • Stay away from flood zones and response route
  • In the event of a flood, residents may be evacuated, make sure you know which zone you live in by using the evacuation zone map.
 After a flood

 Returning to your property

  • If utilities were shut off during the flood, you are required to follow the RMWB's restoration plan and instructions provided at the time of re-entry before returning to your property.  
  • Review Alberta Health Service's "Returning to your home after a flood" safety information 
  • Exercise extreme caution when you return to your home or business
  • Do not enter any building unless it is structurally sound

 

If your property was damaged: 

  • Avoid damaged areas or areas that contain dangerous debris
  • Do not enter areas with standing water due to hidden hazards
  • Do not handle items that have touched floodwaters unless you have personal protection equipment (PPE) and wash your hands properly after removing gloves. Floodwaters carry microorganisms from the river and may contain sewage and chemicals
  • Get an electrical panel and appliance inspection by a qualified technician before having your utilities reconnected
  • Before drinking the tap water check for odd colours or odours

Completing a damage assessment

  • Follow the RMWB's restoration plan and instructions provided at the time of re-entry. 
  • Take a video to record any flood damage to your property
  • Store any valuable papers in the freezer, do not discard any papers damaged during the flood
  • Watch for information on disaster recovery programs

Cleaning your property

  • Review Alberta Health Service's "Cleaning a house after a flood" information package. 
  • Arrange for childcare while you clean to cut your child's exposure to contaminated areas
  • Do not bring pets back until it is safe

Community Updates

 River breakup community updates

 April 7, 2022

April 12, 2022

April 19, 2022

April 20, 2022

April 21, 2022 (a.m.)

April 21, 2022 (p.m.)

April 22, 2022

April 23, 2022

April 24, 2022

Sandbag program

Sand and bags are available free of charge to residents and business owners affected by the 2020 flood.

While there is no firm limit on the number that can be taken, the intended use of the sandbags is to place them around doors, windows and other openings to provide additional flood protection for private properties.

Location

 Snye Parking Lot— upper parking lot adjacent to playground, at the end of Father Mercredi Street

Hours of operation

 Starting March 7, 2022, and remaining open until river breakup has been declared
  • Monday to Sunday – 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

 Sandbag care

Community members can retain, and reuse filled sandbags in the future, but they must be stored properly to prevent damage. Sandbags can be stored inside or outside but they must be protected from the sun, rain and snow. If storing outside, it’s recommended to place sandbags on a pallet and cover them with a waterproof and UV resistant tarp.  

 Additional information

 Please…
  • Take only what you need
  • Bring your own shovel
  • Secure your own transportation to and from the site, including transportation of sandbags
  • Properly secure all loads
  • Do not litter
  • Follow all COVID-19 protocols

Residents and business owners are responsible for making their own sandbags with the materials provided. Municipal staff are unable to help with placement of sandbags. In special circumstances where a resident has mobility issues preventing them from being able to fill and place sandbags at their property, requests for support can be requested via Pulse.

Sandbags must be properly filled and placed to provide an effective temporary barrier from flood waters. Information on how to fill and place sandbags will be provided at the distribution site. There will always be a risk sandbags may give out, even when properly filled and placed. Community members are reminded to take the additional steps below to prepare for river breakup.

Disposal

The sandbag program is now closed. Filled sandbags may be dropped off as of April 25, free-of-charge at the  Snye Parking Lot adjacent to playground, at the end of Father Mercredi Street.

The drop-off location will be available seven days-a-week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., for two weeks from the opening date. Further updates will be provided once available.    

All sandbags dropped at the Snye parking lot are being brought to the Municipal landfill, where the bags will naturally deteriorate, and sand will be repurposed for other uses.  

After the drop-off location closes, sandbags can be brought to the Municipal landfill for disposal.

Recent News

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How river breakup happens

  • During the spring months when the flooding risk is greater, our Emergency Management branch works with Alberta Environment to mitigate the flood risk.
  • There are many checkpoints on the Clearwater River to provide warning of an ice break.
  • The type of breakup (thermal or dynamic) is dependent on weather and river conditions.
Thermal river break up aerial photo
Thermal breakup

Thermal processes melt the ice cover and weaken it (picture an ice cube disappearing in a glass of water as it melts). Contributing factors include sunshine or wind, increased water or air temperature.

Dynamic river breakup showing large chunks of ice
Dynamic breakup

Dynamic processes push the ice cover out of its original place and into chunks. These chunks are then pushed downstream. Precipitation, water levels, or water movement that causes the ice cover to break before it has weakened.

Dynamic breakup is more likely to cause an ice jam and create a higher flood risk.

River Breakup Livestream

Available Resources 

  • 24-hour Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642
  • Flood Recovery 
  • Participate Wood Buffalo 
  • Get detailed river monitoring information at rivers.alberta.ca.
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Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo footer logo

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

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