For many residents of the northern Alberta oil city of Fort McMurray, their travail this year must seem Biblical.
In May, the city’s 90,000 residents were forced to flee when a devastating wild fire struck, destroying over 2,400 homes.
Now, less than two months after residents were allowed to return ,the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo activated its emergency operations centre Sunday to deal with flooding expected predicted to deliver up to 100 millimetres of rain
“It’s crazy,” says long-time Fort McMurray resident Brenda Toutant. “There’s a car down the road that keeps floating. The front two tires are on the ground I think but the back is moving as trucks go by.”
Crews are working around the clock attempting to suck up the water.
Municipal officials tweeted Sunday that people should restrict travel around Fort McMurray.
It said basements are susceptible to flooding and residents should move their valuables to a safe place.
As barricades were placed on some roads, warnings were also issued about driving on flooded roads that are dangerous due to the possibility of debris and slippery ground.
With files from CBC and CP.
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