Floodwaters devastate First Nations communities in Alberta

First Nation communities near Calgary are also feeling the brunt of raging floodwaters in Alberta.

East of Calgary, the Siksika Nation is seeing water levels recede today after floods ravaged the area Thursday and Friday.

Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier said hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the reserve which now looks like a lake, and more than 1,000 people have been forced out of their homes.

The province issued a mandatory evacuation order for much of the aboriginal community as the rain-engorged Bow River breached its banks, knocking out several roads.

"I've never seen anything like this in my life. It's very stressful," Rabbit Carrier said in a statement.

The current priority is the emergency response effort as crews scramble finding shelter for those who are homeless.

"We just want to ensure people are safe," Rabbit Carrier said.

Emergency workers are also rushing to rescue trapped horses and other farm animals.

Officials say it could be weeks before people can return home. Residents are being directed to the Deerfoot Sportsplex. The Siksika Emergency Team can be reached at 403-734-3999 for more details and volunteer and donation inquiries.

A boil water advisory has also been issued for the Siksika First Nation. Schools in the area are closed until further notice.

Morley sewer problems

A precarious situation exists on the Morley reserve west of Calgary as the community, also known as Stoney Nakoda Nation, is under an evacuation order and dealing with waterlogged homes.

Roughly 3,000 people call the area home.

The big problem right now is sewer backup, and there's a desperate need for manpower to help pump water from the flooded areas.

Officials are asking people in Morley not to stay home, saying it's not safe. Residents can head to the high school for food, clothing and shelter. The evacuation centre can be reached at 403-881-2755 if people have donations.

The Chiniki Learning Center is providing shelter for the Morley community as well.

A group from Cochrane, including CBC News Calgary anchor Carla Beynon, headed out with some supplies — like water from local company ProH2O.

"We just heard last night that people needed help," said Beynon, who lives in the community beside the reserve.

The Cochrane RCMP detachment has an officer on site in Morley at the command center working with the director of emergency services.  

"The current status of the Morley First Nation is that the community has not been affected by flooding from Bow River," said RCMP.

"The issues on Morley First Nation stem from rain water washing out some remote roads, sewer backup and some basement flooding. The situation is improving."

Tsuu T'ina Nation on the southwest edge of Calgary also said homes and an area golf course have been damaged by floodwaters.

Bighorn and Eden Valley reserves southwest of Calgary are also under an evacuation order and Eden Valley is under a boil water advisory.