Not much bike riding: flooded city

[shootingstar]

I think some of you lived in a major flooded city that was declared officially as a disaster area (and resulted in millions of dollars of aid, etc.) How was it for you?

Well, it might be a long, messy cleanup in Calgary. I can't imagine going for long bike rides this summer unless I want to do whole trips on using just roads..which is not ideal in our city that is already very sprawly. I mean cycling over 40 km. just to get out of the city from downtown. In my opinion, that's not pleasant for certain roads in our city.

I live in downtown where huge hunks are underwater at this time, in emergency disaster areas.

I live only 1 block away from a major river that has overflowed in large sections. HOme is in a mandatory evacuation area at this time.

My workplace is located in a section of downtown that is flooded and no electrical power for last few days.

[emily_in_nc]

So sorry shootingstar. Have been reading a blog written by folks who are running a campground up there this summer and have seen photos of the flooding through their blog. We don't hear much about Canada down here in the US, so I had no idea.

Really a mess for your summer. :(

[indysteel]

I'm so sorry, Shootingstar. The news reports sound terrifying. Please stay safe and keep us posted if you can.

[Wasp]

I just can't believe how flooded Calgary and surrounding areas are. All from a few days of heavy rain? That's just crazy! Shooting star how are you doing? Where are you staying? Do you need anything?

[Koronin]

I'd heard there was some flooding around Calgary, but had no idea how bad it actually is.

[PamNY]

Good luck Shootingstar -- I hope you are safe. Recovery from such disasters is long and difficult.

A news story from the UK Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/weather/2013/jun/23/canada-power-supplies-floods

[murielalex]

Just horrible. Wishing you and everyone in your town well.

[bluejellybean]

I'm glad to hear you're safe. I've checked in with some relatives in Calgary and their home is ok and they haven't had to evacuate. Always a huge relief to hear from people in emergencies. (Still haven't heard from one friend!) I hope the city can get back to normalcy soon. Thinking of everyone "next door"!

[NbyNW]

We've been following this story too, as oddly enough we have more friends in Calgary than in Edmonton, from when we lived there.

Is it possible to take your bike on light rail, or do the buses have bike racks, so that you could start a ride from someplace outside of the downtown core? Just an idea, I'm not familiar enough with Calgary's transit system to know if they even permit that. I hope there is some way you can continue to cycle while the city is getting back to normal.

We did a big fundraiser ride starting from the south side of Calgary, about 100km per day for two days. Fantastic roads. Sorry I can't recall the route, because I was just following the crowd ....

[OakLeaf]

Yes, all the disasters that have happened in Alberta over the last few weeks are just frightening. Glad you're safe, Shootingstar.

[shootingstar]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/LIVE+Stay+downtown+Monday+city+asks+Most+Inglewood/8550481/story.html Photo of warped LRT train lines in some areas.

I wish they would refrain on wanting the Calgary Stampede in less than 2 wks. (1 million people annually) City will not be enjoyable with missing infrastructure to move lots of people around efficiently and being at sights/events.

Our condo building is without power. Elevator not working, stairwells pitch black. Of course our fridge food is gone. (I didn't have much because I've been away from the city /planned my grocery buying of perishables.) Not sure about our basement but the parking garage door can't open because electrically powered. I noticed when I evacuated at 3:30 am, there were lots of cars parked on our streets....to keep their cars safe from flooded garages(?).

I am here about 80 km. in the US, south of Vancouver....and there's no news on this on the U.S. tV networks. Then when we head up back into Canada tonight ..we'll get more news.

When I evacuated, I could hear the roar of the overswollen river just a block away. I never did get a chance to see it in its state before it overflowed. I was taking our 2 bikes and snowshoes up from my underground storage rm. into my suite 7 floors above.

I can't believe that I went to bed on Thurs. night, then evacuated at 3:30 am next morning and the power probably got shut off several hrs. later downtown wide. I live downtown.

THis is the area that is partially underwater near my place..a pic in pre-flood area. It is the same area that you see in tv/news footage, that's treed but flooded....waters receding now.

16407

[SheFly]

I just learned that my cousin and her son lost their house and jeep, and were evacuated from their rooftop! Waiting for more news, but they are safe.

SheFly

[Irulan]

So sorry shootingstar. Have been reading a blog written by folks who are running a campground up there this summer and have seen photos of the flooding through their blog. We don't hear much about Canada down here in the US, so I had no idea.

Really a mess for your summer. :(

Living just south of Canada, maybe we get more coverage than most.
One thing I haven't seen any info about is how much rain they had at higher elevations - how much of the flooding could attributed to melt off from the Columbia Icefields ( headwaters of the rivers that flooded) and not just to high rainfall in the valleys. Is this what global warming is going to look like in certain places?

[SheFly]

Living just south of Canada, maybe we get more coverage than most.
One thing I haven't seen any info about is how much rain they had at higher elevations - how much of the flooding could attributed to melt off from the Columbia Icefields ( headwaters of the rivers that flooded) and not just to high rainfall in the valleys. Is this what global warming is going to look like in certain places?

I read this article this morning - sounds like the falling rain, saturated ground and the melt were all to blame.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2013/06/21/f-alberta-floods.html

SheFly

[OakLeaf]

Oh, good Lord, I just read about the latest spill. I know it's a big province, but man, I feel for you, and we all know that sooner or later it will affect all of us directly. :( :( I'm so sorry, Shootingstar.

[shootingstar]

Yes, the Bow River heads south....so cities of Medicine Hat were affected.

The local cycling advocacy group in Calgary is informally have any cyclist provide info. on the status of damage to the cycling routes/paths across the city. This particular local reporter writes a regular blog/articles for the newspaper about cycling trends, infrastructure matters. I know he writes on other topics as part of his job as a reporter but he has a special fondness for cycling and has made a special effort to cover cycling for our city...it is his personal passion as well as professionally write on cycling matters. Here is his latest article with photos on the state of damage on cycling paths of which some of the longest routes runs through greenbelts/parks...etc. http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/06/24/flood-decimates-parts-of-calgarys-beloved-pathway-system/

It is recommended every major city should have a local reporter who writes professionally on cycling matters for their readership. Because it is this type of situation which is so helpful to the broad community ..and also later for rebuilding efforts by the municipality.

[Crankin]

Thinking of you and glad you are safe.

[Wasp]

Local news coverage is reporting its going to take 5 billion dollars and 10 yrs to rebuild the areas effected by the flooding. Calgary was hit hard, but the town of High River looks even worse. Now that the water has receded the enormous task of cleaning up begins, but yet the Calgary stampede "come hell or high water" kicks off July 5. I predict a huge turnout at this years stampede.
Calgary asked for volunteers to help with the cleanup expecting 600 people, over 2500 showed up.
Speaks volumes of the Canadian spirit.

[shootingstar]

I dunno about the Calgary Stampede: some people will come if only because they bought tickets well in advance, booked hotels etc. Some will be curious, etc.

Sad thing is that some locals staying at hotels with no place to stay, are asked to leave by Stampede time to accommodate tourists ata a higher charge rate. :(

Well true, it was awkward when the municipality asked for volunteers and got too many... So people just go directly to the hardest hit neighbourhoods to shovel out the mud in basements, move out damaged furniture, goods into dumpsters.

I just found out that our building got 18 inches of water in the basement area and now receding to 6 inches. But we do have to clean out our storage lockers. Buildings across the street got 4 ft. of water.

There is a whole neighbourhood just 2 kms. away that I can't bike through for months later for daily work commutes. It's completely submerged in water, meaning over 8-10 ft. of water.

Of course, now there's a problem of 6 derailed train cars stuck on a collapsing old rail bridge today.

The Mayor has advised people working in the downtown area for now, to walk, bike and minimize their use of cars: several traffic light intersections are not working, some roads blocked off because of flood waters. It's going to be sunny, hot and no rain for the next few days.. a good thing.

Most interestingly in High River a town south of Calgary, some residents are furious that the police has asked that gun owners turn over their guns temporarily to look after. After all, the guns will not be locked up ..since people have lost their homes. I wish that people would understand it doesn't take much if a gun unsecured gets into the wrong hands (and it could be a child also). In Canada, it is illegal to carry guns into a hotel, group home shelter, etc.

The police secured my neighbourhood while it was under evacuation orders/no trespassing zone for last few days.

Local cyclists have helpfully provided informal, ad hoc updates and photos on local bike route, bridge infrastructure (we have several crossing the 2 overflowing rivers) and path situations on the cycling group's internet blog forum. The power of the Internet that's for sure. That's where I get my latest municipal updates for the most accurate news.

(I should know: I work for the municipality.)