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Revelstoke avoids storm damage, but not impact as highway, rail blocked

Heavy rainfall causing serious flooding south and east of Revelstoke didn't do damage here, but Trans-Canada Highway closure appears lengthy
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This image is making the social media rounds on June 20 following flooding in Canmore. It shows the Trans-Canada bridge crossing at Canmore.


Heavy overnight rainfall that caused flooding to the Kootenays in the south and the Alberta-B.C. border region to the east of Revelstoke didn't take much of a toll here.

The City of Revelstoke Public Works Department wasn't dealing with issues this morning following rainfall overnight between Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20.

Government of Canada meteorologists have rainfall warnings in effect for areas south, west and east of Revelstoke, but the West Columbia region where Revelstoke is located isn't under storm watch or warning this morning.

DriveBC isn't showing any weather-related incidents on the Trans-Canada in the Revelstoke area. The situation is much worse to the east.

The storm has heavily damaged the Trans-Canada east of Golden; authorities have closed the Trans-Canada at Golden, citing multiple washouts. There is not alternate route advisory at this point. Images emerging from the scene point to an extended closure of the Trans-Canada.

Canmore has been hit hard; a raging Cougar Creek wiped out homes and property in town. A Trans-Canada bridge crossing in Canmore has been severely damaged. Authorities are reporting several washouts of the Trans-Canada Highway in Alberta. Several communities other than Canmore have been deeply impacted.

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PHOTO: This image making the social media rounds shows the Trans-Canada Highway bridge crossing near Canmore, which has been extensively damaged.

The Arrow Lakes Ferry doesn't appear to have a backlog at this point.

To the south, highways in the Kaslo area are washed out. Flooding has also damaged roadways in the East Kootenay.

CP Rail spokesperson Kevin Hrysak said the flooding has affected the CP line in the Canmore area, including "water over the rails" incidents.

"CP operations crews are on site actively managing the situation as these heavy rainfall conditions continue," Hrysak said. "It appears that the impacts should be short term, but at this point it is too early to confirm details as the situation continues to evolve."

Hrysak said: "As part of our railway’s protocols at a time of extreme weather, CP has in place processes that include increased track patrols and inspections, as well as adjusting train operations as required based on local weather events. CP has also taken preventative steps to respond to situations of rising flood waters like these."