Schools in Calgary, one of the hardest-hit areas in massive flooding in Alberta this week, will be closed today as a precaution amid concerns about rising waters.
The situation in the city is evolving as officials try to assess how high water levels will rise, so expect changes as the day goes on.
"If you are in an identified area, please self-evacuate immediately," the city's blog says. As of 6:29 a.m. MT Friday, parts of the following neighbourhoods were under evacuation orders:
The city says evacuees who have no place to go will be provided with food, shelter, bedding and other essential services at one of these reception centres:
The Southland Leisure Centre, 2000 Southland Drive S.W. and Acadia Recreation Complex A, 240 90 Ave S.E. are at capacity.
Centre Street Church, 3900 - 2 Street, N.E. is open as a day resource.
People can take pets to the Animal Service Centre, 2201 Portland St. S.E. or the Calgary Humane Society, 4455 110th Ave S.E., if they can't find an alternative place for them.
The University of Calgary is closed on Friday. Students, faculty and staff are being asked to stay at home.
The city says all schools for both the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District will be closed Friday, citing "ongoing flooding issues in Calgary and region."
The city says: "The Calgary Board of Education schools are contained within the limits of the city boundaries. The Calgary Catholic School District includes the communities of Chestermere, Airdrie and Cochrane. Catholic schools in these communities will also be closed on Friday June 21"
Check here for the latest from the Calgary Board of Education: http://www.cbe.ab.ca/default.asp Check here for the latest from the Calgary Catholic School District: http://www.cssd.ab.ca/
AHS says all emergency services departments in Calgary were open as of 10:30 p.m. MT Thursday, but the Sheldon M. Chumir Urgent Care Centre is closed and will "remain closed until further notice."
For a list of which health care centres are affected by flooding in other cities, including High River, Canmore, and Sundre, click here: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/8644.asp
Calgary Transit was reporting several weather-related detours as of 6 a.m. MT. Friday http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/rainfall_detours.html
For the latest on transit service, follow @calgarytransit or check for service updates at www.calgarytransit.com
The city is providing updates on road closures on its blog. Here is the latest information as of 6:29 a.m. MT Friday: http://www.cocnmp.com
More rain is in the forecast with an additional 15 to 30 mm possible Friday as well as an additional 5 to 10 mm Friday night through to Saturday morning, CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland said. The highest amounts are expected west of Calgary and just north of Canmore. Showers are also forecast this weekend, he said.
