Southern Alberta....Thats Me!!
For those of you following the news, international to some, you know about the crud going on in Southern Alberta. The South Saskatchewan River has swelled to epic proportions and flood several cities and towns. Causing thousands to be homeless, millions in damage, and even some deaths.
I just need to say how proud I am of my city! We came together amazingly. In my city of 55 000, 10 000 people were forced to evacuate their homes and pray that the water didn't reach that far, or that the damage was minimal. 1000 registered volunteers were requested and the spots filled up in 3 minutes. 1000s of others were unofficial. Peoples belongings were loaded on to flat beds and transported to safe places by complete strangers, supplying time, gas and work for free. Sandbags were filled, distributed and placed by others. Homes were opened...not to just friends....but to anyone needed. Red Cross set up an evacuation center and the army came in to help.
The river peaked yesterday. It is slowly going down. Tonight we have had thunder, lightening, and torrential rains. They are not sure if this means the river will rise again and thousands of homeless people are holding their breaths.
There were large hoes parked on some of the bridges, using the scoop to push debris off of the pillars to avoid stress. The Trans Canada bridge is under construction, and they managed to fortify it enough to save all the work that has gone into the half they demolished and had started to build.
Sadly our hockey arena and our baseball park were completely submerged and quite possibly unsalvageable. The arena is being built anew (the plans were already underway) and are to take three years to complete. They need to try and save the old one for just a few more years. I have no idea how they will save Athletic Park but they will try. Until then our baseball team has to play out of a diamond with no room for fan base.
I live on a hill, overlooking the river actually. I purchased it for the very reason that it was not in the valley. The river has flooded our city before. However, price point wise that is all some people can afford. My home is completely safe and dry....and I have been donating anything I can find to those in need.
Send your hopes and well wishes to those who need it....and to me to keep me strong. I will give all that I have until our city is back to functioning and I will do my best in aiding any efforts made in that direction.
I just need to say how proud I am of my city! We came together amazingly. In my city of 55 000, 10 000 people were forced to evacuate their homes and pray that the water didn't reach that far, or that the damage was minimal. 1000 registered volunteers were requested and the spots filled up in 3 minutes. 1000s of others were unofficial. Peoples belongings were loaded on to flat beds and transported to safe places by complete strangers, supplying time, gas and work for free. Sandbags were filled, distributed and placed by others. Homes were opened...not to just friends....but to anyone needed. Red Cross set up an evacuation center and the army came in to help.
The river peaked yesterday. It is slowly going down. Tonight we have had thunder, lightening, and torrential rains. They are not sure if this means the river will rise again and thousands of homeless people are holding their breaths.
There were large hoes parked on some of the bridges, using the scoop to push debris off of the pillars to avoid stress. The Trans Canada bridge is under construction, and they managed to fortify it enough to save all the work that has gone into the half they demolished and had started to build.
Sadly our hockey arena and our baseball park were completely submerged and quite possibly unsalvageable. The arena is being built anew (the plans were already underway) and are to take three years to complete. They need to try and save the old one for just a few more years. I have no idea how they will save Athletic Park but they will try. Until then our baseball team has to play out of a diamond with no room for fan base.
I live on a hill, overlooking the river actually. I purchased it for the very reason that it was not in the valley. The river has flooded our city before. However, price point wise that is all some people can afford. My home is completely safe and dry....and I have been donating anything I can find to those in need.
Send your hopes and well wishes to those who need it....and to me to keep me strong. I will give all that I have until our city is back to functioning and I will do my best in aiding any efforts made in that direction.
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