A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the community of Wayne and there is a mandatory evacuation order for residents in Wayne and along Highway 10X.
Acting CAO Barb Miller says that the Drumheller Fire Department is going door-to-door to evacuate residents from Bridge 2 near Rosedale all the way to Wayne.
This comes in light of water levels in the Rosebud River expected to rise another eight inches in the next 24 hours. Consistently the Rosebud River level throughout the day has been about 4.4 metres at Redland.
“The Town has been in constant communication with provincial river forecasters and Alberta Emergency Management alert personnel, and have been continuously monitoring the conditions of the river,” said Miller.
Miller says the primary concern is for the safety of residents and the integrity of the bridges that connect Wayne and residents along Highway 10X. Alberta Transportation has been monitoring the bridges during the high-water event and this afternoon Drumheller firefighters were on the bridges 3, 5 and 11 monitoring for large debris and erosion around the bridge supports.
The highway is being closed to traffic aside from local residents leaving the area and Miller hopes that the evacuation will be completed later this evening.
According to a press release from The Town of Drumheller, all evacuated residents must register with the Reception Centre at the Ag Society Stampede Barn.

Mayor Heather Colberg requests that residents cooperate with authorities and keep tuned to local radio for further details. Town’s emergency management team are quickly implementing plans and dealing with issues as they arise.
Watch www.drumhellermail.com and its Facebook page for further updates as they become available.

Members of the Rosedale and Drumheller Fire Halls were at the Last Chance Saloon campground in Wayne at noon on Monday, April 23, securing a motorhome that was pitching in the high water of the Rosebud River.
Firefighters Ken Vereschagin and Jonathan Molzahn from the Drumheller Hall, approach the motorhome in an attempt to secure it from being swept downstream.
Currently, the Rosebud River is at about 4.5 metres, measured at Redland, rising overnight. It is expected to rise an additional 5-6 inches, according to provincial forecasters.
The Red Deer River is predicted to rise one metre. This will take the river levels to those of Saturday evening with the expectation that the Newcastle beach area and other low-lying areas will flood.
The Town is in constant communication with provincial forecasters and updates will be given as more information becomes available.
Homeowners in low-lying areas with wells are advised to start making preparations to protect their wells.
Property owners that require assistance can call the town’s emergency line at 403-820-2156.