Calgary is in the rolling foothills of the Rocky Mountains in south-western Alberta. And people living in the low-lying areas are most affected by the flooding that took place last week on an unprecedented scale.
While the majority of citizens were spared the worst of the inundation, the areas that were affected are in terrible shape. Basements are flooded with toxic water and some homes were even shifted off their foundations due to the power of the water. Emergency workers are imploring home owners and residents to obey warnings and advisories.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who has been receiving praise for his hands-on involvement in the disaster relief effort, has reminded people to be patient and supportive of one another as the extent of the damage becomes apparent to those returning to their homes for the first time today.
Mayor Nenshi asked employers to allow people to work from home, others to car-pool, and if possible cycle, in an effort to ease the city’s traffic congestion.
Insurance policies in Canada generally do not cover what’s known as “overland flooding’, but the provincial and federal governments have committed to helping people restore and rebuild their homes and their lives. Alberta premier, Alison Redford, pledged C$1 billion yesterday to be paid out over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, organizers of the Calgary Stampede say, the show will go on. The largest event and one of the biggest tourist attractions in the province will take place despite the state of emergency and the fact that the site was one of the hardest hit .
Alberta is a popular place for television and film shoots and some have had to make alternate plans. “Hell on Wheels” a western filmed near Okotoks, Alberta had to shut down production when their location was flooded. 160 members of the cast and crew, including the horses, were temporarily relocated.
Canada’s popular television series “Heartland” was not affected as they are shooting in Calgary at the moment in a part of the city not affected by the flooding. It’s reported the cast and crew will be holding a fund-raiser to help the people who have lost the most in this ordea..
Frank Rackow says it’s a tale of two cities. Frank is RCI’s former Alberta correspondent. Carmel Kilkenny spoke with him about the state of the city today.
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