Campus Life

City declares local State of Emergency

Friday, June 21
8:45 a.m.


The University of Lethbridge will remain open during the current City of Lethbridge local State of Emergency. For more information on the flood situation, visit the website www.lethbridge.ca or follow @LethbridgeCity on Twitter.

Thursday, June 20
4:18 p.m.


The local State of Emergency remains in place for the City of Lethbridge but the effect on the University of Lethbridge is negligible.

All paths to the river bottom area from the University have been closed but the U of L remains open and all programs are operating as normal.

Continue to monitor The City of Lethbridge for updates as to possible road and bridge closures.

2:57 p.m.

The Staff Appreciation BBQ for those who assisted in flood recovery scheduled for 3 p.m. today has been postponed due to the current local State of Emergency.

2:52 p.m.


The City of Lethbridge continues to monitor water levels. As of now, bridges across the Oldman River are open and expected to remain open.

2:22 p.m.

The University of Lethbridge will remain open during the current City of Lethbridge local State of Emergency.

The University of Lethbridge is advising faculty, staff and students who need to collect their children due to the closure of schools and daycare facilities to do so.

Please monitor the City of Lethbridge website (www.lethbridge.ca), and local media for updates on the local State of Emergency and the possibility of bridge closures. In the event that notice is given by the City of Lethbridge that bridges will be closed, those who live on the other side of the river are advised to leave for home at that time.

1:03 p.m.

The City of Lethbridge has advised residents to prepare for the possible temporary closures of the Whoop Up Drive and Hwy 3 bridge crossings. Officials will give notice in advance of any closures. The water is estimated to be peaking at approximately 5 p.m.

Many city schools are beginning the process of closing and have been advised by the City of Lethbridge to close by 3 p.m. today.

12:35 p.m.

The City of Lethbridge declared a local state of emergency at 12:09 p.m. Thursday, June 20 in anticipation of a possible flood of the Oldman River valley.

"We have officially declared a local state of emergency," read a message posted on the City of Lethbridge news website. "This means that we are working hard to ensure that resources are available to ensure safety in the river valley. We will update as more information becomes available."

As of 12:35 p.m., both the Whoop-Up Drive bridge and Hwy 3 bridge crossings were open to traffic.

Officials have closed river valley parks, the Bridge Valley Campground and local news sources report that the Lethbridge Regional Police Service has begun to evacuate residents of lower Paradise Canyon.

The city is also calling for volunteers who might want to help remove artifacts from Fort Whoop-Up. Those wanting to help can report to the City Hall foyer. They will be bussed in and out of the river valley.