Calgary Flood Evacuation, Shelters and Relief

Calgary Flood Evacuation, Shelters and Relief

Every decade or so Calgary experiences flooding to some degree, but I don't think anyone or anything could have prepared our city and the rest of the affected areas in Southern Alberta for what was to come this time around.

As of June 20th, 2013, several Calgary neighbourhoods have been ordered to evacuate due to the flooding of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. They include...

• B – Calgary Beltline, Bowness, Bridgeland Industrial Area and Bonnybrook

• C – Cliff Bungalow and Chinatown

• D – Downtown, Discovery Ridge and Deer Run

• E – Eau Claire, East Village, Erlton, Elboya and Elbow Park

• H - Hillhurst

• I – Inglewood

• M – Montgomery and Mission

• Q – Quarry Park

• R – Riverdale, Rideau, Roxboro and Riverbend

• S – Sunnyside and Stanley Park

• V – Victoria Park

• W – Windsor Park and Westmount

Map of Calgary Flood Evacuation Zones

[mappress mapid="49"]

Also in evacuation zones are many local towns and districts in southern Alberta, including…

• High River

• Turner Valley

• Canmore

• Okotoks

• Kananaskis

• Banff

• Blairmore

• Black Diamond

For more detailed information on currently flooded and forewarned flood zones in Calgary / Southern Alberta, see the interactive Alberta Government’s Flood Hazard Map.

Requests by Government

• Evacuees are asked to tape an X on their front door to notify city officials they have already evacuated their homes.

• If your basement begins to fill up with water or you see overland flooding in your community, call 3-1-1 and notify the city immediately.

• If you or someone else's safety is compromised, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Keep an eye on the City of Calgary information bulletins and the Alberta Government flooding updates.

• Stay away from flooded areas and riverbanks, rushing water is very dangerous.

• Do not drive through flooded roadways such as underpasses.

• Stay inside and avoid traveling anywhere if you don’t have to.

[caption id="attachment_18720" align="alignright" width="286"] Flooded Inglewood Golf Course along Deerfoot Trail South[/caption]

Evacuation Shelters

If you have been forced from your home due to flooding in Calgary and need a place to go, the city has set up several shelters around town for evacuees.

The city is prepared to open more shelters depending on need. Call 3-1-1 for updated information on city wide shelters any time.

Current evacuation shelters include...

Northeast

• Centre Street Church – 3900 2nd Street NE - Call 403-293-3900

• Village Square Leisure Centre – 2623 56th Street NE - Call 403-366-3900

Southeast

• Acadia Recreation Complex – 240 90th Avenue SE - Call 403-255-1252

• South Fish Creek Recreation Centre - 333 Shawville Boulevard SE - Call 403-201-8652

Southwest

• Southland Leisure Centre – 2000 Southland Drive SW - Call 403-648-6555

Evacuated Pets

Evacuated animals can be brought to one of two places in Calgary. They are…

• Calgary Humane Society – 4455 110th Avenue SE – Call 403-205-4455

• Animal Service Centre – 2201 Portland Street SE – Call 3-1-1, outside of Calgary call 403-268-2489

Learn more about how to prepare your pets for evacuation at the Calgary Humane Society.

[caption id="attachment_18721" align="alignright" width="287"] Deerfoot Trail southbound on Blackfoot Trail west exit[/caption]

More Calgary Flood Guides

My heart and prayers go out to those evacuees who have had to leave their homes behind and seek refuge from this tragedy, as well as everyone else who has been affected in some way.

If you are one of the victims of the floods in Calgary and Southern Alberta, here is a Government Guide to Before and After Flooding that could help clarify some questions you might have.

Environment Alberta has also issued a list of advisories for communities across the province. See them at Environment Alberta's Flood Warning System.

Check out the City of Calgary's State of Emergency web page for road closures and more information.

Those who are looking to connect with evacuated family can call the RED CROSS CANADA at 1-888-800-6493. The RED CROSS is also accepting donations online and by telephone at 1-800-418-1111.

On a Positive Note

On a positive note, Calgary has overcome other tragedies in the past such as the flooding in 2005 which caused 1,500 people to evacuate their homes, as well as the fire of 1886 that destroyed more than 70 wooden buildings in the city.

While today’s number of 75,000 evacuees is exponential in comparison to that in 2005, it goes to show that the City of Calgary, the Alberta Government and the people living in Alberta have overcome floods and fires in the past and will continue to do so for many years to come.