A number of businesses and residents of Peace River were dealing with rising water levels Tuesday night, after ice blocked a culvert near the town centre.

The town quickly set up an evacuation centre for residents who may have been temporarily displaced as crews worked to build a berm to protect downtown businesses.

One man described what he saw as a geyser that sent water rushing into parking lots and making some streets impassable.

The downtown core sustained serious flooding after a 12-foot culvert became plugged with ice, forcing the water from Pat's Creek to back up and blow off some manhole covers.

Despite efforts to keep the water at bay, a number of businesses had to deal with flooded basements.

“One of the people we heard from was Whitemud Catering,” Peace River Mayor Tom Tarpey said in a phone interview. “They have food in their building, and they had fridges that were floating in the water and so they, I imagine, there will be a number of businesses including Whitemud Catering that are going to feel some financial hardship.”

The owner of Whitemud Catering said the damage was extensive.

“Total floor damage,” Owner Trevor Brochu said. “It also caused freezers to tip over and since it was unsanitary water it touched I’d say 50 to maybe 75 percent of our food product, which has to be all thrown out.”

Brochu told CTV News his company is the go-to caterer in the area in the event of an emergency, his company helped during the forest fires in 2011.

“We had to feed all the evacuees from these fire locations so you know it’s a little different for us being the ones in need of help this time,” Brochu said.

While an evacuation centre was set up, CTV News learned no one stayed overnight, as anyone affected by the flooding had found other accommodations.

Officials said Wednesday morning that the water appeared to be receding.

Alberta Environment staff has since arrived in town to monitor the Peace River – as the higher than average snowpack melts, leaving an increased risk of spring flooding.

“There’s no threat of imminent flooding but [it is] definitely something to keep an eye on and something to continue to communicate with the town about,” Alberta Environment and SRD spokesperson Carrie Sancartier said.

The town has also applied for disaster recovery assistance, if that’s approved, it will allow individuals and businesses access to money to cover their losses.

With files from Amanda Anderson and Laura Tupper