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.

[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/LI...481/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.

[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/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.