Highway 40 open from Highway 1 as far as Kananaskis Village: Alberta Parks

The situation in Kananaskis is starting to improve as some roads start to reopen and allow stranded people to leave.

Alberta Parks says Highway 40 is once again open to traffic in both directions “from Highway 1 as far as Kananaskis Village” as Kananaskis Village remains under a state of local emergency due to flooding.

Alberta Parks is advising visitors south of Evan Thomas Creek Bridge (including Mount Kidd campground) “to exit via Highway 40 southbound to Longview.”

Closure of the highway was updated on Tuesday morning.

A state of local emergency was issued “due to ongoing rainfall and localized flooding affecting road access and several recreation areas.”

Shortly before 1:30 p.m., Alberta Parks noted the following road closures:

• Highway 40 at Mount Allan Drive — closed southbound
• Highway 40 — no public access northbound from Highwood House to Kananaskis Lakes Trail
• Highway 742 (Smith-Dorrien Trail) at Canmore Hill—full closure
• Highway 742 (Smith-Dorrien Trail) at Chester Lake—full closure
• Powderface Trail at Dawson Campground/Day Use Area—full closure

As of Tuesday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada said Kananaskis saw 102 millimetres of rainfall during the recent storm.

Alberta Parks also noted some backcountry campgrounds, day-use areas and trails within Kananaskis Country “are closed until further notice.”

Alberta Parks will continue to provide updates online.

Information regarding current road closures is also available through 511 Alberta.

Thousands stranded

Thousands of people were trapped in Kananaskis Country on Monday after heavy rainfall and flooding prompted the Alberta government to issue a local state of emergency in the area.

The Evan Thomas bridge was washed out in the downpour, leaving a hole the size of a vehicle, while a mudslide at Little Highwood made a section of Highway 40 impassible.

Alberta Parks re-opened the highway north and south of the bridge so people could return home on the southbound route to Longview.

People in blocked-off areas were asked to stay where they were if they had shelter on Monday morning.

Those without a safe, dry place to stay were asked to head to William Watson Lodge or the Peter Lougheed Discovery Centre.

Hundreds of people stranded in the area Monday were at Mount Kidd campground.

Rich Wood, who was among the hundreds stranded at Mount Kidd, told CTV News before the highway was reopened on Tuesday morning he worried “that worst case we might be stuck here for a couple of weeks.”

Crews shut down the highway at Sibbald Creek, only allowing traffic to flow out — including about 500 guests of the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

Guests scheduled to check into the hotel were not allowed to drive in on Monday.

The hotel offered free cancellation for those who couldn’t check in.

As the state of emergency continues, Alberta Parks is asking visitors to reschedule their plans to the area.

As of Tuesday afternoon

Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen told CTV News Calgary on Tuesday that 50 people were still stuck at Mount Engadine Lodge, and campers and hikers along Smith-Dorrien Trail, due to mudslides and washed out sections of road.

The hope was that the area might be able to re-open later in the day.

Evan Thomas bridge could take a few days to repair, Loewen said.

And he said people at Mount Kidd can now get out.

According to Loewen, the south bridge was closed Tuesday morning while crews checked it, but is now open for drivers to leave.

Highway 40 is still partly closed to incoming traffic.

No deaths or injuries reported, Loewen said.

About 20 backcountry hikers airlifted due to high water flow in the area, he said.

With files by Alesia Fieldberg, Damien Wood and Michael Franklin