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{{Infobox flood
{{Infobox flood
| name = 2013 Alberta floods
| name = 2013 Alberta floods
| image location = Calgary MacLeod flooded.jpg
| image location = East Village Calgary Flood 2013.jpg
| image size = 250px
| image size = 350px
| image name = A downtown Calgary portion of [[Macleod Trail]], submerged under water
| image alt text = A view of downtown calgary, East Village, affected by flood waters
| image alt text = Several blocks of a roadway is shown submurged under brown flood water
| date =
| date =
| duration = June 19, 2013{{spaced ndash}} ongoing
| duration = June 19, 2013{{spaced ndash}} ongoing

Revision as of 19:51, 25 June 2013

2013 Alberta floods
A view of downtown calgary, East Village, affected by flood waters
DateJune 19, 2013 – ongoing
LocationSouthern and central Alberta:[1]
Banff, M.D. of Bighorn No. 8 (Dead Man's Flats, Exshaw, Harvie Heights and Lac des Arcs), Black Diamond, Calgary, Canmore, Cochrane, Crowsnest Pass, Cypress County, Devon, Drumheller, M.D. of Foothills No. 31, Fort Macleod, High River, Kananaskis I.D., Lethbridge, County of Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Mountain View County, M.D. of Ranchland No. 66, Okotoks, Red Deer, Red Deer County, Redcliff, Redwood Meadows, Rocky View County (Bragg Creek), Siksika Nation, Stoney Nation (Morley), Sundre, Tsuu T'ina Nation, Turner Valley, Vulcan County and M.D. of Willow Creek No. 26
Deaths4[2][3]

In June 2013, Alberta, Canada, experienced heavy rainfall that triggered catastrophic flooding described by the provincial government as the worst in Alberta's history. Areas along the Bow, Elbow, Highwood, Red Deer, Sheep and South Saskatchewan rivers and their tributaries were particularly affected. A total of 27 local states of emergency were declared and 28 emergency operations centres were activated[4] as water levels rose and numerous communities were placed under evacuation orders.[5] The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have confirmed three people have drowned near High River.[2][6] Over 100,000 people have been displaced throughout the region.[2] By June 24, 2,200 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) troops had been deployed to help in flooded areas. Land Forces Western Area brought in Bison armoured vehicles, G-Wagen Jeeps, and other military vehicles.[7]

Meteorology

Situated east of the Canadian Rockies, southern Alberta is a semi-arid region that does not usually receive high amounts of rainfall. A high-pressure system in northern Alberta blocked the passage to a low-pressure area to the south. This blocked circulation and easterly winds pumped humidity on the rising slopes of the Rocky Mountains foothills, causing heavy rain into the province with rainfall amounts of over 100 millimetres (3.9 in) to fall in less than two days in many regions of the province, particularly west and southwest of Calgary. In Canmore, a town in Alberta's Rockies, over 220 millimetres (8.7 in) fell in 36 hours, nearly half of the town's annual average rainfall.[8] The rain falling on already saturated ground, coupled with the steep watershed in the mountains, resulted in a rapid increase in the size and flow of several rivers.[9]

At the peak of the flooding, the Bow and Elbow rivers were flowing through Calgary at three times their peak levels from a 2005 flood that caused C$400 million in damages.[8] Within 48 hours, by 8 a.m. MDT on June 21, the flow rate on the Bow River had reached 1,458 cubic metres (51,489 cubic ft.) per second (m3/s), five times its normal rate for this time of the year. The Elbow and Highwood Rivers reached flow rates of 544 m3/s (inside Calgary) and 734 m3/s respectively, ten times their averages for this time of year.[10]According to data tracked by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development,[11][12][notes 1] "in the space of a day or two, the flows of the three rivers rocketed up five to 10 times their normal rates."[13]

Impact

Glenmore Reservoir flooded in 2013

Government officials called the flooding the worst in Alberta's history.[14]

As communities began to flood and people became displaced, area residents mobilized to offer support and assistance to evacuees and emergency response personnel. Some volunteers and several police officers worked up to 20 hours to help evacuation efforts despite knowing their own homes had been damaged or completely washed away.[15] While coverage of the flooding spread throughout social media sites, many people and businesses also took to Facebook and Twitter to open their homes up to neighbours and strangers who did not have other places to stay or offer whatever support they could.[16]

Calgary

In Calgary, Alberta's largest city, 75,000 people[17] from 26 neighbourhoods[notes 2][18] in the vicinity of the Bow and Elbow rivers were placed under a mandatory evacuation order as the rivers spilled over their banks and flooded neighbourhoods, including the Calgary's downtown, causing officials to call for a family day on June 21, requesting people to stay home, particularly the 350,000 people who work downtown.[2] All schools in both the public and Catholic school districts were closed and officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.[19] [17]

Through social media,[notes 3] websites and blogs[notes 4] with a constant stream of updated contributions from the Calgary's mayor,[notes 5] numerous city councillors,[notes 6] the Calgary Police, media at all levels, and numerous Calgarians with Twitter,[notes 7] Flickr and Facebook accounts, the flood was extremely well-covered.[18][20][21] [notes 8]

Calgary Highlanders assisting city workers in flood relief in the community of Inglewood, June 22, 2013

The city's largest indoor arena, the Scotiabank Saddledome, was among the facilities damaged as flood waters were reported to have filled up to the first ten rows of the lower seating bowl.[22] The Calgary Stampede grounds adjacent to the arena were also severely flooded, less than two weeks before the scheduled opening of the annual exhibition and rodeo, however officials vowed the event would go on.[23]

While emergency officials began to announce the partial lifting of some evacuation orders on June 22,[24] Mayor Naheed Nenshi stated that it would be several days before power could be restored to the downtown core.[25] City workers, assisted by Canadian Forces personnel from The Calgary Highlanders, reinforced a particularly large erosion of river bank near 8th Avenue S.E., which endangered several houses in the neighbourhood of Inglewood.[26]

Calgary's central business district, home to many of Canada's oil company headquarters, could remain inaccessible until June 26.[27] A spokesman for Imperial Oil, Canada's second-largest producer and refiner, said the company was working on plans to maintain essential operations, including allowing employees to work from other locations.[27] Shorcan Energy Brokers, which provides live prices for many Canadian crude grades, operated out of Toronto on June 21 rather than at its usual Calgary base, although no trades in either Western Canada Select heavy blend or light synthetic crude from the oil sands were executed.[27] Net Energy Inc, the other main Calgary crude broker, was closed on Friday, June 21, and there was no trading.[27]

As the water began to recede, the city lifted evacuation orders for several communities. It allowed 65,000 residents to return to their homes and business on June 23 to assess for damage, but parts of 14 communities remained off-limits.[28]

Southern Alberta

Flooding of the Saddledome arena was extensive.

South of Calgary, the town of High River was evacuated after flooding of the Highwood River caused water to rise over the top of vehicles in the town's main streets and necessitated the rescue of over 150 people from the rooftops of their homes.[29] 350 Canadian Forces personnel and 80 Edmonton Police officers were dispatched to assist with rescue efforts.[30][31] All 13,000 residents of High River were ordered to evacuate on June 20, and the community was largely abandoned within three days as the town suffered what local officials called "unprecedented" damage.[32] Among internationally recognized sites flooded in High River was the "Maggie's Diner" standing set for the CBC series Heartland.[33]

The mountain towns of Banff and Canmore, west of Calgary, were cut off from neighbouring communities after flooding and mudslides forced the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway.[34] Several homes were swept away in Canmore by the rise of Cougar Creek.[35]

In addition to Calgary, High River and Canmore, nine other municipalities, including the City of Lethbridge; the towns of Black Diamond, Cochrane, Sundre and Turner Valley; the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass; Rocky View County; and the municipal districts of Bighorn No. 8 and Foothills No. 31, had declared states of emergency on June 20 due to flooding and some communities had evacuated residents.[36] Additionally, the City of Red Deer declared a state of emergency over the potential of flooding ahead of a planned release of water from the Dickson Dam into the Red Deer River.[37] Another dozen communities have declared a state of emergency on June 21,[5] including several First Nation reserves; the Siksika First Nation, east of Calgary evacuated 1,000 residents.[14]

The city of Medicine Hat, located on the South Saskatchewan River downstream from the confluence of the Bow and Oldman rivers was also hit with significant flooding.[38] The city evacuated 10,000 residents ahead of the flooding, and facilities including the Medicine Hat Arena had begun to flood late Sunday evening, June 23.[39] The South Saskatchewan River peaked at 5,460m3/s, which was below earlier predictions of 6,000m3/s,[40] but exceeded the highest recorded rate of 5,100m3/s in 1995.[41]

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Officials in the neighbouring provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba are bracing for potential flooding along the South Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan rivers, into which many of the affected rivers in Alberta drain.[42] Officials in Saskatchewan were preparing to evacuate low-lying communities along the Saskatchewan River, including Cumberland House, a community of 800 in the eastern part of the province.[43] In Manitoba, flood warnings were issued for The Pas.[42]

Fatalities

Mounties confirmed two bodies were recovered from the Highwood River near High River. A third body was later recovered.[6] None of the bodies were identified.[44] Okotoks resident Robert David Nelson was killed in an ATV rollover while checking a neighbour's home.[3]

Calgary Police found the body of an 88-year-old woman in her apartment on June 23, 2013. It is believed that the woman chose to defy the mandatory evacuation order. Death due to the flood has yet to be confirmed.[45]

Cleanup and recovery

Estimated costs

On June 24, 2013 although total damage caused by the flooding remained unknown, Alberta Premier Alison Redford, predicted it would surpass the $700 million caused by the Slave Lake fire, with much of the cost likely to be uninsurable.[46] In a report issued on June 24, 2013, Tom MacKinnon, BMO Capital Markets insurance analyst, suggested an early estimate of between $3 billion and $5 billion of total damages to "homes, businesses, vehicles and other private property." That would be "20 to 30 times" the amount of damage caused by southern Alberta's 2005 major flood.[47]

Municipal level

Alberta's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Doug Griffiths, announced that a task force that represents numerous government agencies and which earned praise for its coordination of recovery efforts following the 2011 Slave Lake wildfire would be reconvened.[48] John McGowan, CEO of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) described how AMSC is applying what they learned from the the $700-million clean-up process following the Slave Lake fire in 2011 in their response to the flood.[47] McGowan explained how the AUMA's subsidiary Alberta Municipal Services Corporation (AMSC) will provide a wide variety of services which include general insurance to the approximately 278 cities, towns and villages in Alberta affected by the flood.[47] Damaged public buildings, vehicles and key public infrastructure, including subsidiary damage such as, structural damage to bridges or tunnels, need to be repaired or replaced in the "biggest cleanup in provincial history".[47] "Neighbours, strangers, friends, and friends-of-friends-of-friends" helped those whose homes were damaged in Calgary's flood. Calgary's first official call, early on the morning of June 24, for 600 volunteers resulted in an estimated 2,500 people arriving ready to work. Calgary Emergency Management Agency director Bruce Burrell said that the City of Calgary hired contractors on larger infrastructure repairs but volunteers were needed.[49]

Provincial level

Upon touring the affected areas, Alberta Premier Alison Redford who represents a ridings in Calgary, promised provincial assistance in recovery efforts.[5] The Alberta Treasury board met early on June 24 to approve a preliminary $1 billion emergency fund for the disaster recovery program, covering immediate clean-up and repair costs. Losses to home owners and municipalities caused by overland flooding, not covered by regular insurance, will be covered by the province.[50] While making the funding announcement she Alberta Premier Alison Redford she cautioned that it could take up to ten years to fully recover from the disaster.[51][52]

Federal level

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who also represents a ridings in Calgary, toured the flooded area on and promised federal assistance in recovery efforts.[5][50] Harper, Redford and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi took a helicopter tour of flood-damaged areas on the afternoon of June 21, and discussed the trilateral co-operation to the flood response.[53]

First Nations

A state of emergency for Siksika First Nation, east of Calgary, was declared in the evening of June 20 with approximately one thousand people evacuated from their homes. By June 23, with 200 homes still underwater, Chief Fred Rabbitcarrier told CTV that there was a "feeling of hopelessness."[54] However, as news outlets began to cover the story[55] and a Facebook account, set-up using a cellphone, helped coordinate relief efforts, donations and volunteers have responded to the community's call for help.[55]

Looking downtown from Riverfront Ave in Calgary, during the Alberta floods 2013.
Riverfront Ave in Calgary, during the Alberta floods 2013.
The Center Street Bridge in Calgary, during the Alberta floods 2013.

Notes

  1. ^ Premier Redford created the Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRB) formerly known as the Ministry of Environment and Water on May 8, 2012.
  2. ^ Affected neighbourhoods included Beltline, Bonnybrook, Bowness, Bridgeland Industrial Area, Chinatown/Eau Claire, Cliff Bungalow, Deer Run, Discovery Ridge, Douglasdale, Downtown/East Village, Elbow Park, Erlton, Inglewood, Hillhurst, Mission, Montgomery, Quarry Park, Rideau Park, Riverbend, Riverdale, Roxboro, Stanley Park/Elboya, Sunnyside, Victoria Park, Westmount and Windsor Park
  3. ^ A well-designed and highly detailed Google Map was updated to included neighbourhoods under mandatory evacuation and to show useful information such as the hydrology of the Bow and Elbow River systems.
  4. ^ The City of Calgary constantly updated their blog.
  5. ^ Mayor Nenshi is well-known for his effective use of social media.
  6. ^ The City of Calgary's Facebook account was also widely used.
  7. ^ Twitter hashtags included #yycflood, #abflood.
  8. ^ While the Calgary Police's Twitter account was locked when it reached its daily limit, this was temporary and there were numerous other options.

References

  1. ^ "Affected Communities". Government of Alberta. June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d "4 feared dead from Alberta floods". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  3. ^ a b White, Ryan (June 23, 2013). "Good Samaritan killed in ATV crash while attempting to check flood damage to neighbour's home". CTV News Calgary. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  4. ^ "Update 5: Government continues to respond to flooding emergency". Government of Alberta. June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Wood, James (June 22, 2013). "Harper, Redford promise to help". Calgary Herald. p. A5.
  6. ^ a b Third body recovered near High River Global News, June 22, 2013.
  7. ^ "1,300 troops deployed to assist with Alberta flood recovery". Soo Today. June 22, 2013. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  8. ^ a b Williams, Nia; Haggett, Scott (June 21, 2013). "Floods shut down Canada's oil capital, four to five may be dead". Reuters. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  9. ^ Davison, Janet; Powers, Lucas (June 22, 2013). "Why Alberta's floods hit so hard and fast". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "Two rivers run wild". Calgary Herald. June 22, 2013. p. A7.
  11. ^ "New Cabinet team focused on growing Alberta's future: New structure to change the way government does business". Government of Alberta. May 8, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  12. ^ Stolte, Elise (June 18, 2013). "Biggest industry water users unveil Alberta conservation plans". Edmonton Journal.This June 18, 2013, story covered concerns about the typical "low flow in Alberta s rivers, particularly the Old Man, Bow and Red Deer rivers during the summer."
  13. ^ "Graphic: Bow, Elbow and Highwood flowing five to 10 times normal rate". Calgary Herald. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Province says flooding is worst in Alberta history; 25 states of local emergency in place". Edmonton Journal. June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  15. ^ Corbella, Licia (June 22, 2013). "Spirit of Giving turmps tragedy". Calgary Herald. p. A17.
  16. ^ Jarvie, Michelle (June 22, 2013). "Social media awash with acts of kindness". Calgary Herald. p. B2.
  17. ^ a b MacIntosh, Cameron (June 23, 2013). "Cameron MacIntosh reflects on the Calgary flood: Reporter's notebook: June is always a dangerous time in the Prairies". CBC News. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  18. ^ a b "State of Local Emergency - Update". Calgary, Alberta: City of Calgary Newsroom.
  19. ^ Gandia, Renato; Schneider, Katie (June 21, 2013). "Schools closed, thousands of Calgary homes evacuated in Calgary's 'flood of a lifetime'". Calgary Sun. p. 2. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  20. ^ Calgary neighbourhoods underwater as Bow River's rise continue
  21. ^ Alberta floods prompt widespread downtown Calgary evacuations
  22. ^ "Saddledome, Stampede Grounds hit by flooding in Alberta". The Sports Network. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  23. ^ "Calgary's Stampede grounds under water, Saddledome submerged as flood ravages city". Edmonton Journal. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  24. ^ "Some Calgary flood evacuation orders expected to lift". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  25. ^ Cryderman, Kelly; Tait, Carrie (June 22, 2013). "Officials warn downtown Calgary powerless until at least midweek". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  26. ^ Gavin, John (June 24, 2013). "Canada's Oil Capital to Be Shut for Days after Flooding". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  27. ^ a b c d Williams, Nia (June 22, 2013). "Canada's oil capital to be shut for days after flooding". Reuters. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  28. ^ "Calgary downtown core open for assessment". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  29. ^ Massinon, Stephanie; Fraser, David (June 21, 2013). "More than 150 rescued from rooftops in High River". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  30. ^ "Canadian Forces says 31 people pulled from rooftops in southern Alberta". Global News. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  31. ^ "Edmonton soldiers, police assisting with flood relief". Edmonton Journal. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  32. ^ Gignac, Tamara (June 24, 2013). "Mandatory evacuation remains for High River". Calgary Herald. p. A15.
  33. ^ Collins, Leah (June 21, 2013). "Flooding in the Heartland; Cast Sends Update from Southern Alberta". CBC News. Retrieved 24 June 24, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  34. ^ Gerson, Jen (June 21, 2013). "Heavy rains in southern Alberta force mandatory evacuations in areas of Calgary and surroundings". National Post. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  35. ^ Stechyson, Natalie; Foubert, Tanya (June 21, 2013). "Homes collapse into raging Canmore creek". Calgary Herald. p. A4.
  36. ^ Henton, Darcy (June 21, 2013). "One dozen Alberta communities in various states of emergency due to flooding". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  37. ^ "Local state of emergency issued for Red Deer". Edmonton Journal. June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  38. ^ "Medicine Hat Flood Potential 2013: Current News & Events". City of Medicine Hat. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  39. ^ Stephenson, Amanda (June 23, 2013). "Floodwaters expected to cleave Medicine Hat". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  40. ^ "Medicine Hat floodwaters starting to recede". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  41. ^ "Medicine Hat fears rising river after Calgary floods". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  42. ^ a b "Manitoba issues flood warning for The Pas". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  43. ^ "RCMP confirm three dead in Alberta floods that forced 100,000 to evacuate". National Post. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  44. ^ Staff (June 21, 2013). "Deaths Confirmed in Flooding, Harper Tours Area". The Canadian Press (via CP24). Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  45. ^ Tait, Carrie (June 24, 2013). "Elderly woman found dead in apartment after flooding". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  46. ^ Weismiller, Bryan (June 24, 2013). "Premier says flooding worse than Slave Lake fire". Calgary Herald. p. A2.
  47. ^ a b c d Lamphier, Gary (June 25, 2013). "Alberta flood tab could run as high as $5B: Too early for insurer of 278 municipalities to estimate costs". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  48. ^ O'Donnell, Sarah (June 22, 2013). "Task force to spearhead recovery". Calgary Herald. p. A5.
  49. ^ Komarnicki, Jamie (June 25, 2013). "Support from volunteers awes flood victims". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  50. ^ a b Wood, James; Varcoe, Chris (June 25, 2013). "Flood disaster scraps plans for balanced budget: Rebuilding price tag may reach $5 billion". Calgary Herald. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  51. ^ "Alberta flood recovery could take 10 years, $1B, says premier". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  52. ^ Mertz, Emily (June 24, 2013). "Alberta government approves $1 billion in emergency funding for flood recovery". Global News. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  53. ^ "Harper joins Redford, Nenshi to survey Alberta flooding". CBC News. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  54. ^ White, Ryan. "Severe flooding damage on the Siksika First Nation". CTV Calgary.
  55. ^ a b Schmidt, Colleen (June 24, 2013). "Relief pours into Siksika Nation". CTV Calgary. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
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