With no major rivers or lakes bordering the town, overland flooding in Westlock is extremely rare — the last major flood in the community was reported in the early 1970s.
But that was the reality the Town of Westlock Fire Department faced Aug. 22 after more than 100 millimetres of rain drenched the town over the course of a few short hours, flooding streets, homes and businesses.
Fire crews were put to the test in what is being considered a once-in-a-generation phenomenon with a damage estimate in the tens of millions of dollars.
And while the department handled the catastrophe well, fire chief Stuart Koflick admitted a flood was not high on their list.
“I’m going to be honest with you, an overland flood, given our situation, is really uncommon,” Koflick said.
“Having said that, it is identified in the municipal emergency plan as a potential, but the frequency or probability of that occurring was quite low.
“I wouldn’t say we were caught off-guard, but I’d say we were surprised as to the amount and intensity of rain that had occurred and fallen on the area.”
The flood left vehicles stranded, roads washed out and basements full of water meaning electrical and gas hazards.
Among their duties, fire crews helped stranded motorists escape their vehicles, block off flooded roads, ensure residents were safe and made sure that electrical and gas hazards were tended to.
“What we did was try to prevent further damage. Protection of life is our priority and to ensure that lives were not in danger,” Koflick said.
“If someone’s basement was filling up and they had electrical issues, or gas issues, stuff like that, as well as preventing people from driving down flooded areas.”
Firefighters worked alongside town public works and gas and utility crews during the storm. The department has sufficient equipment for the job, but nearly fell short on barricades.
“We were somewhat taxed resource-wise when it came to road blocks. I don’t think there was one barricade left in the town.”
Since Westlock was the only municipality affected in the area, additional barricades were brought in from Barrhead.
Despite being initially overwhelmed, Koflick said his members, along with some help from Westlock County departments, worked hard and efficiently and ultimately were able to provide necessary assistance to all affected.
Koflick pointed to the town’s emergency management plan as the document that keeps them prepared.
“We’re always ready to accept the challenge. When you look at emergency management and emergency response, you kind of do the best you can to identify potential hazards and risks,” Koflick said.
“Nobody has a crystal ball to see what type of response is required for the incident at hand.”
The document, Koflick said, identifies a number of different potential incidents ranked from Priority Level 1 to Priority Level 3 — everything from the likely scenarios to rarities like an overland flash flood.
The chief says he considers it a “living document” and on a consistent basis it’s reviewed and updated.
“On an annual basis we do a risk assessment of the Town of Westlock, we brainstorm and jot down what potential emergencies could affect the town and then the probability and severity,” he said.
“Based on the probabilities, what in all likelihood would this type of event happen? And if it did happen, what would be the severity? What would be the potential ramifications?
“We use that type of risk-assessment tool to do a risk assessment and then prioritize those types of hazards or risks that are more prevalent.”
Priority Level 1 includes major fires, environmental contamination, chemical spills, major rail incidents and public health epidemics. Priority 2 includes explosions, industrial accidents and explosions.
“Priority is based on where we sit along highways 18 and 44, plus the rail line and we do have a lot of ag dealers in town,” Koflick said.
“A lot of those incidents are our priority.”
An overland flood is listed under Priority Level 3.
“A one-in-50-year event is tough to kind of gauge,” he said.
Other Level 3 events include animal disease, radiological incidents and blizzards.
While crews must be prepared for anything thrown their way, Koflick reminds residents to be prepared.
Among the items they should stockpile is food and water to survive up to three days.
“They should make sure they have a 72-hour kit available in the event they have to leave or evacuate,” Koflick said.
The kit, Koflick explained, allows residents to sustain themselves while crews deal with the first 72 hours after a disaster.
“Had this been a longer, sustained event emergency services would be inundated with responding to emergency calls and dealing with the situation at hand for the first 72 hours,” he said.
“People need to make sure they can look after themselves for 72 hours and that will give us time to be apprised of the situation and deal with it as much as we can.”
Kits should include water, food, first-aid supplies and personal hygiene products. Kits can be self-assembled or purchased complete.
Koflick also said residents should turn to the town’s website and social media pages for the most current updates.
“When things like these happen we try as best as we can, given the circumstances, to provide the information on the web and Facebook page,” he said.
“Further to that, I’d suggest if you have a smartphone certainly download the Alberta Emergency Alert app. That app will keep you in touch.”
