This isn’t really the type of blog where I tell you about all the things I do in my day to day life, because, frankly, that would be a very dull read, much like my journals (Dear Journal, Today I went to work, and then I came home and had dinner and now I am going to sleep). Today, however, is worth reporting on. Due to huge amounts of rainfall in the last 36 hours, Calgary (along with much of southern Alberta) is under a state of emergency. Around 100,000 people in Calgary alone are under mandatory evacuation orders, with evacuations going late into last night and early this morning. The rain is still falling, and everybody is saying this is the biggest flood they’ve ever seen. I can’t help but agree.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Calgary, it’s a city built around two major rivers, both of which are spilling their banks right now. Major roads are washed out, most of the bridges across the rivers are closed, and nearly 30 low-lying neighborhoods (including our downtown!) have been evacuated. Authorities are hesitant to say the rivers have crested (though they were supposed to last night) as water levels are not subsiding. Water is still coming down quite heavily up in the mountains, which means we have more to come as it works its way down to us.
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- The centre of this bridge is usually fairly close to being over Princes Island.
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- See those trees in the middle of the river? That’s usually a rather large island.
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- I found this police car stranded in a curling centre parking lot.
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- Almost all the bridges across the river are closed as of now.
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- This is the neighborhood of Sunnyside—it was evacuated last night around 9PM.
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- Tons of people are coming out to examine the flooding from McHugh Bluff.
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- The big bridge is the Centre Street Bridge. It usually has a lower deck, which you can now barely see as it is almost entirely under water.
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- The streets just run into the river!
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- People evacuating up the hill.
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- Pooch observes the commotion.
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- That fenced off bit is a community garden. Safe to say it’s been overwatered, I suppose.
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- Well, damn, eh?
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- This is Memorial Drive, one of Calgary’s busiest streets.
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- More Memorial Drive flooding, with The Bow building in the background.
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- Pedestrian bridges are closed.
At Canmore, a mountain town about an hour west of Calgary, just on the eastern edge of Banff National Park, the Trans-Canada Highway has washed out. Cougar Creek, normally a tiny little creek (if that) has swollen to at least 100m across by some reports (if not more), and has washed away people’s yards and porches, and is threatening to wash away homes. Benchlands trail, a large road that is normally 30–50m from the road is now totally gone, not just swallowed by the river, but completely destroyed and washed away. It is the only access road to the northwest quadrant of the town, so residents are now trapped.
The small town of High River is also in trouble, and under total mandatory evacuation. Police and fire departments were rescuing people from their roof tops with manure spreaders, dump trucks, and combines as the waters rose in parts of the town that have never flooded before.
I took these photos on a walk I went on this morning to survey the damage. I’ve lived in Calgary for the majority of my life and have never seen anything like this—I’ve never seen the river burst its banks, I’ve never seen evacuations. This is incredible. For more photos, there’s a great album here.
And for those of you wondering about me—I’m totally fine. I live on the top of a hill, thankfully. I’m housing some friends who have been evacuated from their home, and stockpiling clean water in case a boil water advisory comes into effect. And, yes, I do have high resolution copies of these photos to scare grandchildren with.
Stay safe Marie! Create a mini first aid kit if you haven’t yet and keep getting that water just in case. It would also be a good time to start organizing any important paperwork and mementos you want to take in case you have to evacuate. I pray y’all don’t have to. Google “hurricane preparedness” for any other tips. Best wishes, lovely.
Thanks for the tips, Heather 🙂 We did end up stocking up on some water, but the city began to urge us not to, as our water treatment plants were fine, just a bit taxed (so filling up huge jugs of water from the tap was a no-no). We never had to evacuate here as we’re quite high above the river, but I’ve been out & about surveying some of the damage on my way to/from work, and it is just shocking. The landscape of the city around the river is likely changed forever.
LO LAMENTO MUCHO
REZARE MUCHO POR USTEDES
My husband attended the Winter Olympics there in 198?. He loved the people, and thought the town was wonderful. I have always wanted to visit there. So, saying all of that, I will be praying for everyone’s safety and for a speedy recovery from all the flooding and those affected. Take care, and blessings to you for all that you do for others.
Ah, the 88 Olympics 🙂 My mother sang in the choir, she still has the sparkly blue robe she wore. It’s been fantastic to see the spirit of the city really come through, and see people rise to the occasion. The mayor put out a call for 600 volunteers the other day and got several thousand—this is a pretty great city 🙂
I do pray that you get a break in the rain and flooding soon! We were in the Hurricane Mitch in Guatemala, we too lived on a “hill” more of a sand dune. Our little beachside town was completely cut off from the mainland for over two weeks. We fortunately had loads of water and food since I had a small restaurant and bed and breakfast there. Some of our tourists stayed and weathered it out with us, brave souls! Out local store was 2 stories so they moved into the upper floor and we visited the store in a row boat and they dispatched the goods in a bucket. I just remember how unsettling the feeling was and I pray that you keep safe and on high ground! Prayers for a end to the rain, wish you could send us some water we are burning up here in the Southwest NM!
Wow, what an amazing story, Nancy! It sounds like yours was far more exciting than mine. You should write a book or make a movie! We are recovering nicely here—we are having a delightful spell of warm weather (we’re supposed to crack 30°C tomorrow!) and the clean up efforts are going well. We have a wonderful volunteer spirit here, and it is very heartwarming to see everyone come together.
Thanks for the news Marie! We hardly ever get news of Canada in Australia, so I am interested. Good luck to you all at a very scary time. Keep safe.
Thanks, Jane—this reminds me of hearing about all the flooding in Brisbane a few years back. I must say I am rather sick of hearing about my city in the news now… for this reason, at least.
That is some scary stuff! I’m glad you’re OK! Please keep us posted.
Now that the flood waters are receding we are able to take stock of all the damage, and it is amazing! Cement pathways that look as if a bulldozer took to them, trees uprooted, huge sections of riverbank totally gone. Our premier is saying this will be a 10 year recovery effort—I am so thankful I do not live in High River, where a very large number of homes will have to be condemned 🙁
Prayers said for all of the people in and around Calgary. Please keep us informed. And let us know if and what we can do. I know that God is in control. I am leaning on His arms to keep all safe.
Thanks for your kind words, Deborah. As the waters recede we are finally able to see all the damage, and it is very extensive. The premier is estimating 10 years to recover from this, and there is talk of not rebuilding some towns in the same spots, as they flood so frequently.
thank you for sharing. I will be praying
Thanks, Dawn! We are really pulling together as a community here, which is great to see.
So sorry to see the devastation. We’ve been praying for our Alberta friends here in BC. ♥
Chris
Thanks Chris 🙂 The waters are receding here, and the extent of the damage is just shocking! I am so thankful I live on a hill—so many homes have been lost.
I am glad you are safe and bless you for sheltering others! Flooding is so bad since once the waters recede, there is still more trouble to come as people deal with the aftermath of contaminated water, mud and mold. I hope Calagary recovers quickly!
You are so right, Elle—now that the waters are receding we are starting to see all the damage, and it is very extensive. Huge sections of the riverbanks are totally gone now, taking parks, yards, and bike paths with them 🙁
I am so sorry Marie… It is very hard to look around and see that things are no longer as they were, but in time, things will be made right again, and who know…maybe even better. We lost our home to Hurricane Hugo in 1989. We were in the midst of an addition when the hurricane came 180 miles inland with 110 mph sustained winds and enough rain to float Noah’s ark! Being so far inland we were not prepared for this kind of storm. Insurance didn’t cover any of our new construction, so we had to rebuild as we could afford and we had to do all the work ourselves. It took 6 years to be completely finished but we managed and learned how to cope with the hardships. In the end we were better for it. The area was a total disaster for a long time, with piles of debris piled 20 feet high lining every road, reducing traffic flow to 1 1/2 lanes. It was that way for a year. People pulled together, helped each other, as one neighborhood would get power and water they would extend a garden house to the road so people without water would have access. There was often a simple sign posted at the road said, “WATER”. It was a difficult time but at the same time a time of bonding and strengthening as a community. I hope your recovery goes quickly and that as a community you are able to pull together for support and encouragement. Take care and hold on to the knowledge that this too shall pass. Hugs!
Thanks, Elle 🙂 Things are recovering quite nicely here, though it is amazing to see all the huge piles of trash in people’s yards—the entire contents of their basements, no doubt. I’m so sorry to hear about your home—the entire experience sounds just amazing, though! Definite movie material. I know many people are having insurance coverage problems here as well, as overland flooding (the type that comes in windows and doors) is not covered at all, and of course that is the worst kind 🙁 We are all pulling together as a community and a province, and our Mayor is doing an absolutely fantastic job—I’m sure he is a shoo-in for re-election after all of this.