Evacuation alert issued for community near Fort McMurray due to flooding potential. Follow for live updates.

A northern Alberta community was put on evacuation alert Tuesday morning because of the potential of a 20-kilometre-long ice jam to cause flooding.

Draper’s 140 residents were told they should be ready to leave on short notice.

Follow this story for live updates throughout the day:

River breakup update

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will hold a media availability to give an update on river breakup conditions.

Emergency Management director Jody Butz will provide the update and answer questions at 1 p.m. MT.

Diego Romero, CTV News Edmonton online supervisor

Evacuation alert issued

The unincorporated community is located on the southern bank of the Clearwater River in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray.

An ice jam that formed on the Athabasca River has caused the level of the Clearwater River to rise 4.5 metres, according to the latest data. The Athabasca River’s level has risen 5.5 metres.

Clearwater River flows west from northwestern Saskatchewan and joins Athabasca River near Fort McMurray.

The province is monitoring the ice jam.

Alex Antoneshyn, CTV News Edmonton digital producer

Residents urged to prepare

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is advising “everyone in Draper” to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit with food, water, a flashlight, a radio, a first-aid kit, important family documents and extra keys for your vehicle and house, as well as cash, travellers’ cheques and change, among other items.

“Just like organizations and municipalities, individuals and families should prepare too,” the municipality says on its website.

It says residents should also make an emergency plan, follow its social media channels and download the Alberta Emergency Alerts app.

“Notify emergency responders if you are aware of vulnerable residents who may need assistance evacuating,” the municipality says in its alert.

“Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification,” it adds, also urging residents to review their tenant/home insurance policies.

Ethan Morneau, CTV News national digital producer

$522M in damage in 2020

A 25-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River in 2020 caused half a billion dollars in damages when it flooded downtown Fort McMurray.

In August 2020, insured damage costs were believed to be $522 million, according to CatIQ and the Insurance Bureau of Canada. That was more than double the estimated $228 million two months prior.

Alex Antoneshyn, CTV News Edmonton digital producer

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