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Flood watch, rainfall warnings issued in southern Alberta

A flood watch has been issued for the Crowsnest River, Willow Creek​ and Wallaceville area of High River.

High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass says the flood alert is very minor at this point, but it is one of the reasons why the community of Wallaceville will be torn down.

Water level rises of up to two metres can be expected over the next several days based on the current weather forecast, according to the Alberta Emergency Alert.

Emergency officials have also issued a high-flow advisory for streams and rivers in the Bow, Oldman, Milk and South Saskatchewan basins.

Environment Canada is also warning Albertans who live in the southwest corner of the province that heavy rainfall is expected in the area.

A rainfall warning has been issued for several communities:

Kananaskis

Canmore

Crowsnest Pass

Pincher Creek

Waterton

​Cypress Hills

Foremost

Cardston

Fort Macleod

Magrath

​Lethbridge

Taber

Milk River

Okotoks

​High River

Claresholm

"​​A low pressure system moving into the northern United States will bring significant rainfall to southern Alberta," said the national weather agency on its website.

"The rain will begin this afternoon with total amounts of 60 to 100 millimetres expected before rainfall tapers off Wednesday."

The heaviest rainfall, up to 160 millimetres, is expected in the Pincher Creek region.

Environment Canada says localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.