Northern Alberta braces for ice-jam flooding, evacuations along the Peace River

Residents of Fort Vermilionin northernAlberta are being warned thatan ice jam on the Peace River could causesevere flooding as soon asSaturday.

"If that ice backs up on the other side of Fort Vermilion, we'll be in a world of hurt," MackenzieCounty's chief administrative officer, Lenard Racher, told CBC News Friday afternoon.

"Those ice jams, it's not like a gradual thaw, once they stop there's a lot of water that's going to come at youvery quickly."

On Thursday, a17-kilometre stretch of icebacked up the Peace River nearTompkins Landing, a ferry-boat river crossing about 80 kilometres south of High Level.

Water as deep as two-and-a-half metres flooded a campground about 20 kilometres downstream of Tompkins Landing overnight, Racher said.

He said the county is not aware of people staying at the campground before the flooding hit, but added the crush of ice could damage infrastructureincluding a ferry stored near the site.

The county, as well as Alberta Environment and Parks, will monitor the ice jam day and night onfoot and by helicopter, Racher said. Some areas are no longer accessible by land, he added.

"We're watching things and we've got every finger crossed and hoping mother nature will be a little gentle here."

If the ice jam breaks and starts moving again on Friday, it could reach Fort Vermilion by Saturday, Racher said. The hamlet of less than 1,000 people is about 150 kilometresdownstreamfromTompkins Landing.

The county issued an ice jam warning Friday, urging people in the community to get ready for evacuation. County staff also made phone calls to people in low-lying areas, which are most at risk of flooding.

"Be very, very diligent about watching, if you're by the river," Racher said. "That water will come up so fast. Do not try to stay there or sand bag, just grab your valuables ... and just be very quick at getting to high ground."

Sand-baggingwill likely be ineffective if the ice becomes stuck near Fort Vermilion and causes rapid or deep flooding, he added.