Sunday 23 June 2013

IN WHICH THE FLOODS COME

Most of you, I think will have heard something about the flooding in Western Canada this weekend. The last I heard, 26 communities in Alberta were being evacuate, in whole or in part.

Among the hardest hit, Calgary and a number of communities around it, including Sundre, Okotoks, Turner Valley, Bragg Creek, Longview, Canmore, Banff, and High River (where we used to live).

First, some pictures.

There have been floods in some of these areas in 1995 and 2005. They were considered major — once in a hundred years. But they absolutely pale in comparison to what is happening now.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the magnitude of the flood "stunning."
Prime Minister viewing the flooding
The Prime Minister's home is in Calgary, and he represents a Calgary constituency (electoral district). He toured the city and area, yesterday, and said he has never seen anything like it. He says he is aware of concerns about the long-term damage the flooding could have. 

Closer to home, the flood crest is well to the south and west of Saskatoon ("River City"). Yet the water is rising. These pictures are from our apartment windows. They are not startling, but show the water has crept higher than yesterday, which was higher than the day before.

We have already been told by the city that this area is one of the areas which is likely to flood first, if there is a flood.

The steps are already partially under water
The observation lookout is almost under water


























The river is getting muddy and faster.













The trees at the bottom of the picture are on our side of the river. They are likely 100 feet below our apartment. I sincerely doubt we will get wet if there is a flood.

To wrap up for today:

Someone who would Deerly like to be elsewhere
East end of High River, now evacuated.


This could have been me 35 years ago; I was a firefight










































And Saskatoon watches, and waits, and wonders.

Blessings and Bear hugs, folks!


32 comments:

  1. I have friends in Saskatchewan and Napanee and have been watching the news about the flooding. I hope things calm down for you all soon.

    Dark Thoughts Blog

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    1. Thanks for your concern, Mary. Unfortunately, things are not getting much better. Downriver from Calgary, more evacuations are planned or in process. By time things get here, in about two weeks, I suspect the whole thing will be "Much ado about nothing." But I could be 100 per cent wrong.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  2. Good thing climate change is a myth, eh?

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    1. A myth is like when you're a batsman in cricket; you don't defend your wicket well, and the ball gets past you. As in "you mythed." Or swinging at a baseball and not connecting. The batter mythed there, too.

      Fortunately, the climate scientists are, metaphorically, better at cricket than they may appear; they're batting 6 each time. They didn't myth. And their work isn't a myth, either. We're ruining our atmosphere, we're seeing the results, and (proverbially speaking) there will be Hell to pay.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  3. Glad to hear you're okay. Even though the chances of you needing to evacuate are slim, you still have a bag packed ready to go just in case, right?

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    1. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a note, Moonwaves.

      Actually we haven't packed a bag — too soon for that. Truth is we are likely to be welcoming someone into our home than having to move out. Even in Calgary, the water didn't rise 100 feet. But the electric service here could be chancy, and that is the thing which might move us out, if there is flooding.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  4. Oh my goodness- glad you are safe and dry. I hope the waters recede quickly.

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    1. Last word I heard is that it could take the high waters another two weeks to get here from the foothils. By than they might not be so high.

      Thanks for your concern.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Terri!

      Delete
  5. hope those affected by disaster find relief and stay safe! nature doesnt let man interfere with her! praying for you all up there!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. We've been playing pretty fast and loose with the environment. Now it is biting us back. Bad stewardship has consequences (which I think is pretty scriptural)! Thanks for your concern!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  6. I really hope this awful situation does not get worse, Bear. Your pictures tell the tale very well. Thanks for sharing. I had already seen this on the news but now it is personal.

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    1. Thanks, DJan. It is pretty bad, and I doubt things will improve quickly today.

      Here in Bearsville, I expect we're still a couple of weeks from high water. But i've been wrong before.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  7. Rob, this is indeed a serious matter. Where would you go? Where is it safe?

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    1. I'm not planning to go anywhere, Rosaria. We're high enough that we'll be looking to help others. It is actually quite safe where we are. Unless the power goes out. Even then, I believe our personal risk is limited. Fret not on our account.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  8. I saw the devastation in Calgary last night on TV. That's unbelievable, except I guess with everything that has been going on with the weather lately, one better start to believe that this will get worse before it gets better. I'm glad you think your apartment is safe, but the building I guess could still be flooded, so please take care, dear Bear.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Calgary is a mess. People are getting to move home in some places. But the downtown core will be uninhabitable — for work or residence — until mid-week.

      Our building is too high to be flooded, I expect. Before we get into trouble, all of downtown and much of the west side of the city will have to be under water. I'm not worried.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  9. Mother Nature has been showing her fury this spring. I wonder who or what ticked her off.

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    1. Yes, Ma Nature can get some riled up. I think we're all guilty, to one degree or another. And some of us seem not to care about that, which I think is the greatest problem.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  10. I hope all goes as well as can be for you, Bear. I have a friend in Canmore who escaped serious damage to his home but many others in his beautiful community have extreme damage. Best thoughts going your way.

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    1. I saw some of those Canmore pictures. Houses hanging on at the edge of the river, undermined, waiting to fall in. I also saw a house float down a river, and get destroyed when the river slammed it into a bridge. Horrid! Hope your friend stays safe.

      Blessings an Bear hugs!

      Delete
  11. :( Wishing you drier surroundings, friend!

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    1. Thanks so much. And I wish you one not as hot as last year.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  12. Very alarming pictures, Rob-ear. The one of the deer broke my heart. Floods are horrible; I hope this one give up and drains away fast. Take care.

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    1. I don't know what happened to the Deer, but the story could have ended unhappily. Looks like more rain today. Thanks for your concern.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  13. Terrible thing to have happened and so close to the Calgary Stampede time too.
    This doesn't look like an easy thing to fix.
    So many bad things happening every where.India too
    has so many people dead from the Ganges River flooding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw some pictures of the Stampede grounds today and they appear to be drying nicely. The Stampede Board says it will have everything ready for mid-July! Here's hoping!

      It seems there are troubles everywhere. Especially with the weather.

      Blessings and Bear Hugs.

      Delete
  14. Please stay safe. What a horrible year for natural disasters!
    tm

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    1. It has been a really bad year. The weather has gone crazy. Scorching heat and major floods.

      We're safe. I was down in the flood plain taking pictures afternoon; our apartment is practically in the clouds.

      Blessings and bear hugs.

      Delete
  15. I have friends in Saskatoon! Sending good vibes that it all subsides soon. Many blessings!

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    1. It is a small world Katherine! Things here are good. In Alberta, the situation is a bit crazy. I'm not expecting any flooding of Saskatoon.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

      Delete
  16. I have to tell you I have not heard about the flooding. I should watch the news more. I am glad you are okay, but I hate that for your area. Water can do so much damage. It always amazes me. Be safe. sandie

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    1. Tanks, Sandie. I'm confident that nothing major is going to happen here.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete

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