Edmonton, June 21:Torrential rains and widespread flooding throughout southern Alberta on Thursday washed out roads and bridges, sent residents scurrying for safety, and delivered up surreal scenes of cars, couches and refrigerators being swept away.

Several communities in southern Alberta, including Calgary, have declared a state of emergency after heavy rains caused massive flooding. Residents took to twitter to share their photos of the aftermath.


According to Toronto Star and CBC reports, the RCMP put out a call for help to the Canadian Armed Forces, which sent in two helicopters and a Hercules aircraft to help extract people stranded by water.


Officials with the City of Calgary said as many as 100,000 people in low-lying neighborhoods could be forced from their homes due to heavy flooding, an evacuation that would take place in stages over the next few days.


Toronto Star has quoted Bruce Burrell, director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency who said water levels on the Bow River aren’t expected to subside until Saturday afternoon