Flood watch, rainfall warnings issued in southern Alberta

Aflood watchhas been issued for the Crowsnest River, Willow CreekandWallacevillearea of High River.

High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass says the flood alert is very minor at this point, but it isone of the reasons why the community of Wallaceville will be torn down.

• High River'sWallacevilleto be bulldozed for flood mitigation
• Alberta Emergency Alert |Flood watch issued
• CBC Calgary weather centre

Water level rises of up to twometres can be expectedover the next several days based on the current weather forecast, according to theAlberta Emergency Alert.

Emergency officials have also issued a high-flow advisory for streams and rivers in the Bow, Oldman, Milk and South Saskatchewan basins.

Environment Canada is also warning Albertans who live in the southwest corner of the province that heavy rainfall is expected in the area.

• Alberta Flood advisories available forAndroidapp
• Some Calgary river pathways close ahead of wet weather

A rainfall warning has been issued forseveral communities:

• Kananaskis
• Canmore
• Crowsnest Pass
• Pincher Creek
• Waterton
• Cypress Hills
• Foremost
• Cardston
• Fort Macleod
• Magrath
• Lethbridge
• Taber
• Milk River
• Okotoks
• High River
• Claresholm
• Brooks
• Strathmore
• Vulcan

"A low pressure system moving into the northern United States will bring significant rainfall to southern Alberta," said the national weather agency on its website.

"The rain will begin this afternoon with total amounts of 60 to 100 millimetres expected before rainfall tapers off Wednesday."

The heaviest rainfall,up to 160 millimetres, isexpectedin the Pincher Creek region.

Environment Canada says localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.