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/20...upplies-floods

[murielalex]

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

[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/calgar...ta-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/...athway-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.