Yellowhead County is dealing with the after effects of overland flooding, which prompted a State of Local Emergency Monday afternoon.

In a Tuesday morning update, the county said it was still receiving reports of flooding from residents in areas east of Niton Junction and Carrot Creek.

Later, Lobstick River to the east and Chip Lake area towards the Pembina River were included in the alert.

"We had water running over the road, so we can't allow anyone to drive through that," said Albert Bahri, director of protective services for Yellowhead County.

"Everything is so saturated that it doesn't take a great deal of rain for that water to start running off."

Multiple homes and roadways were flooded.

"It was severe. That's the worst we've had here," resident Roland Kison told CTV News.

However, while the current situation is considered bad, it has improved since Monday.

The county said it anticipates the flood water will move naturally throughout the region, and compound where it collects in excess.

"Residents in these areas are reminded to be cautious around any overland flooding," the county said in a public statement.

The hope is that some water will make its way to the Pembina River and start to flow out of the area; the expectation is that could take days to happen.

Officials warned of dangerous driving conditions on:

  • Township Rd. 532 west of Range Rd. 125 
  • Old Carrot Creek Highway between Range Rd. 140 and Range Rd. 141
  • Range Rd. 135 North of Township Rd. 540 - no vehicle exit for residents
  • Niton North Road south of Township Rd. 542 
  • Niton North Road south of the railway crossing 
  • Township Rd. 542 west of Niton North Road - no vehicle exit for residents 
  • Range Rd. 135 south of Township Rd. 534

A contact line has been made available to those with concerns, at 1-833-334-4630. A shelter was also opened at the Peers Multiplex for those who were prevented from going home.

County residents have also been reminded to be cautious around crews who are working to assess and repair damage.

With files from Timm Bruch