Not much bike riding: flooded city

[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.)