A number of communities in Southern Alberta have declared a state of local emergency as river levels continue to rise because of a melting snow pack and heavy rain.

A state of  local emergency has been called for Coaldale, Coalhurst, Cardston, County of Lethbridge, MD of Willow Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Medicine Hat, and the Blood Indian Reserve.

Evacuations are underway on the Blood Reserve and many others are moving property to higher ground.

The Town of Claresholm has also issued a local state of emergency and activated an evacuation centre because of overland flooding and officials say many homes have already suffered some flooding as a result.

Mayor Rob Steel says they haven't experienced flooding like that in the area since about 2005. "We've had a numerous amount of basements flooded and people affected, so our first priority right now is public safety. We've issued a voluntary evacuation which means if people are affected, they can go to the evacuation area at our Claresholm Arena."

Steel says that the order is in no way a formal order to evacuate and that so far the only area that has been evacuated is the Centennial Park campground.

He says that all of the water facilities are still in working order despite the town's infrastructure being unable to keep up with the heavy rainfall. "Our water treatment facilities are fine and even though we've had some isolated sewer backups, our sewage treatment facility is working properly," he said.

Schools in the area are closed, except for those writing diploma exams. Students writing exams will still need to head to the Claresholm Arena so they can be bused to the school.

Officials also say that all rural bus routes have been cancelled.

Steel adds that everyone should stay away from flooded areas, conserve water to reduce strain on the system, and warns drivers to look out for road closures because of the flooding.

Anyone there experiencing flooding are encouraged to get to the Claresholm Arena at 4912 2 Street East. Anyone needing assistance should dial 911.

Officials in Cardston are also watching the levels of Lee’s Creek, saying that it has overflowed its banks and has begun to flood low-lying areas in the community.

The City of Lethbridge, meanwhile, is bracing for what could be the worst flooding the area has ever seen.

The Oldman River is expected to rise close to seven metres over the next 24 hours, with water being let out of the Oldman River Dam in preparation for the downpour.

An evacuation centre has already been set up in Lethbridge and it has already taken on some residents after campers at Bridge Valley Campground were helped out on Tuesday morning.

Volunteers are being called to help with sandbagging and sandbags are also being made available for residents of the Paradise Canyon area.

The Oldman River is expected to peak late Wednesday or early Thursday.

Meanwhile, the province has upgraded the status of several waterways, calling a flood watch on South Saskatchewan River, Castle River, Crowsnest River, Oldman River, Willow Creek, Waterton River, Belly River, St. Mary River, Waterton Lake, Lee Creek, and Pincher Creek.

Residents close by those rivers are being told to take appropriate action.

On Tuesday night, Medicine Hat officials also declared a state of local emergency and the mayor says he wants everyone to know that the community is prepared.

"We are much better prepared this year than last year, not that we weren't prepared last year it's just that we had an impetus after last year's flood to start some permanent measures, we were going to be the first city in Alberta to be permanently protected, and so we've already protected our power plant and our water treatment plant which was our number one focus last year so that's been taken out of the picture," said Mayor Ted Clugston. "We've got a lot better temporary mitigation measures that we purchased for an event like this."

Highway 52 near Raymond is also flooded out, so drivers heading through the area will be guided through by Volker Stevins.