As rain continues to fall in parts of north and central Alberta, residents are still dealing with a handful of flooded highways and road closures due high water levels.

The following highways are affected by high water levels in nearby rivers and damage done by the recent rainfall:

  • Highway 2 between Highway 33 and Kinuso is re-opened, but to only one lane alternating traffic.
  • Highway 43 west of Whitecourt is open, but large amounts of water are still in ditches.
  • Highway 743 between Highways 11 and 752 west of Rocky Mountain House are closed because of damage caused by heavy rain.
  • Highway 658 north of Blue Ridge closed near the river due to flooding.

RCMP have also asked visitors of O'Brien Provincial Park near Highway 40 to evacuate as of Saturday afternoon.

Dozens of people in Whitecourt are also facing evacuation. The Athabasca River has begun spilling its banks, flooding roads.

A mobile home community is facing threats from the fast moving water, and its residents have been put on evacuation notice.

"It's just about safety," Staff Sargeant Rodney Koscielny of Whitecourt RCMP said Sunday. "They could endanger us or the fire department if we have to go in and rescue them."

"We don't want to go there."

Some river forecasters have said the Athabasca River may have already peaked near the town, but long-time residents said they haven't seen the river so high, causing one to be extra cautious.

"I think I'm going to keep [my belongings] packed until it hits 30 degrees," 15-year Resident Ann Broniszeski said Sunday as she prepares to evacuate her home.

As of Sunday morning many rivers that had been rising Saturday have begun to fall, however several are still under flood warnings:

  • Freeman River
  • Little Paddle River
  • Paddle River downstream of Paddle Dam
  • Smoky River at Watino

The following rivers are under flood watches:

  • Athabasca River near Fort Assiniboine
  • West Prairie River
  • East Prairie River
  • Driftpile River
  • Swan River

Mclennan RCMP is reminding the public to stay away from the banks of the Smoky River in the Watino area. Water levels are rising in the area, some roads are flooded but no traffic problems have been reported.

The Wapiti River was under a flood watch Saturday, but both have since been downgraded to high streamflow advisories.

With files from Sean Amato