Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding and dangerous water conditions across Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis, prompting emergency officials to issue flood watches, evacuation alerts, and travel advisories as rivers and creeks continue to rise. Authorities are urging residents and visitors to avoid unnecessary travel while emergency crews respond to flooding, mudslides, and damaged transportation routes.
Although the Town of Banff has not issued a mandatory evacuation order, officials continue to closely monitor the Bow River and other waterways as runoff from persistent rainfall keeps water levels elevated. Residents and visitors are being advised to stay away from fast-moving rivers, unstable banks, and low-lying areas that may flood with little warning.
The most significant impacts have occurred in neighboring Canmore and Kananaskis Country, where Alberta Parks declared a local state of emergency after floodwaters damaged roads, washed out bridges, and stranded an estimated 1,500 campers. Emergency responders have been working to evacuate affected campgrounds while restoring access along critical transportation corridors, including sections of Highway 40 that were closed due to flooding and mudslides.
In Canmore, all steep creeks remain under flood watch, and portions of the community have been placed under evacuation alert as heavy rainfall continues to threaten homes and infrastructure. Emergency management officials have urged residents to remain prepared to leave if conditions deteriorate further.
Inside Banff National Park, Parks Canada has warned visitors about rapidly flowing rivers, swollen creeks, and an increased risk of avalanches at higher elevations due to saturated ground conditions. Several popular hiking trails, including routes around Lake Louise, have been identified as hazardous, and visitors are encouraged to postpone backcountry travel until conditions improve.
Weather officials attribute the flooding to a prolonged rainfall event affecting much of southwestern Alberta. Heavy precipitation, combined with mountain snowmelt, has significantly increased streamflow throughout the Bow Valley. Emergency managers caution that additional rainfall could quickly worsen conditions, particularly in low-lying areas and along mountain waterways.
Motorists traveling through the region should expect delays, road closures, and rapidly changing conditions. Officials recommend checking Alberta’s highway information services before traveling and avoiding any flooded roadways or areas where emergency crews are actively responding. Drivers are reminded never to attempt to cross water-covered roads, as floodwaters can conceal washouts and structural damage.
Emergency officials continue monitoring river levels around Banff while coordinating with provincial agencies and Parks Canada. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed through official alerts, follow evacuation instructions if issued, and avoid rivers, creeks, and unstable slopes until flood conditions subside. Additional updates are expected as weather conditions improve and authorities complete ongoing damage assessments.