Mackenzie County Reeve Josh Knelsen has some good news to share with residents of Fort Vermilion.
“It’s a great pleasure to announce the flooding in Fort Vermilion has passed,” states Knelsen.
However, Knelsen did say that flood levels remain in Beaver Ranch, which is on the Tallcree First Nation Territory.
He also talked about trying to assess the damage caused by the flood.
“We are starting a rapid damage assessment,” says the reeve. “It includes an assessment of all buildings in the flood zone. All buildings must be inspected for structural integrity, power, gas and environmental hazards.”
Knelsen did add that when the evacuation order is lifted, homeowners and renters will be the first to be permitted to return but was not able to give a timeline.
Knelsen was joined at the press conference by Environment and Parks Minister, Jason Nixon, and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo mayor, Don Scott, who is dealing with flooding in Fort McMurray.
The Trending 55 Newsroom asked Knelsen if the rain from yesterday and today caused any problems, or if there was any concern about rainfall at this time.
“The threat has passed and the river has broken up far enough downstream,” answers Knelsen.
Nixon also offered his thoughts saying the forecasting team has been keeping an eye on weather patterns.
“They are not anticipating a significant amount of precipitation that would impact any of these communities in any way and are fairly confident as the ice jam has moved down that we are through this immediate emergency as far as water levels increasing.”
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
