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Rainfall causes landslides in Red Deer

‘Public safety is our top priority,’ says city’s engineering manager
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The City of Red Deer responded to three reported landslides this week. (Contributed photo)

Three landslides were reported in Red Deer this week.

On July 11 and 12, the City of Red Deer’s engineering team was made aware of three separate landslides, which occurred on private properties around the city.

These landslides were a result of excessive rainfall in June, which saturated the soil and caused some areas to drop, the city explained in a release Wednesday.

“We are working closely with affected residents to assess risk of any future slides and will do the same if we receive reports of other areas of concern,” said engineering manager Konrad Dunbar.

“Public safety is our top priority, and we are doing what we can to support the community.”

In June 2022, the city reported between 167 and 182 mm of rain at different locations across the city. According to Environment Canada, from 1981 to 2010, the average precipitation for the month of June at the Red Deer Regional Airport was 94 mm.

Residents are being asked to be aware and contact the city if they notice any large cracks in the ground or see a land slide.

The city has enlisted the help of a consultant to provide additional expertise as they review and assess problem areas in the coming days. Areas at greater risk would be those with steep slopes or adjacent to escarpments. While assessments are underway, residents are encouraged to report any concerns.

“While we are assessing known problem areas, we are asking residents for their help by letting us know if they see any cracks or movement in the land so we can come assess the area,” said Dunbar.

Residents who see large cracks in the ground or identify a landslide can report it directly to the city’s engineering department at 403-406-8793. The city will send someone to review the area and assess risk of a potential slide. In the case of an emergency or imminent danger, call 911.

“At this time, there is some risk of slides in other areas of the city, but that risk decreases each day warm weather helps to dry up the land. The highest risk remains on those properties with slopes or close proximity to embankments which could give way,” said Dunbar.

“We are just asking people to be cautious and to report any concerns.”



sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com

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Sean McIntosh

About the Author: Sean McIntosh

Sean joined the Red Deer Advocate team in the summer of 2017. Originally from Ontario, he worked in a small town of 2,000 in Saskatchewan for seven months before coming to Central Alberta.
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