The Town of Peace River issued a flood alert late Thursday afternoon, warning residents of the northern Alberta community to prepare for a possible evacuation “on very short notice.”

In an emergency alert issued at 4:49 p.m. MT, officials said there is a potential of flooding of the Heart River and surrounding areas.

Residents from the Highway 2 bridge to 104th Avenue, in the town’s south end, are affected, the alert said, adding it’s also in effect for all of downtown and areas near the Heart River.

People are being asked to make sure their vehicles have fuel, gather important documents as well as medication, and to get their pets ready in case they need to leave their homes.

Town officials said residents are being asked to avoid areas near waterways.

Peace River is roughly 385 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.