Massive flooding in southern Alberta

[Northwestcoug]

Yes, I know it's in Canada, but I think there's at least a couple of members here from up north. Almost all my wife's extended family lives in Alberta, so it's hitting close for us. As of today, 75,000 people were evacuated from Calgary. Downtown is essentially underwater.
image (2).jpg

Water reaches up to the 10th row of seats in the Saddledome, where the Flames play.
saddledome.jpg

The zoo is underwater:
image (2).jpg

The smaller towns are probably the worst hit. Canmore (near Banff) is isolated; all roads in and out are flooded.

Here's one from Bragg Creek:

It's amazing the devastation that can happen, when all it takes is some extra rain.

[Northwestcoug]

Here's a video from Canmore. It's a beautiful area.

[il Padrino Ute]

Mother Nature is no respecter of persons. I hope everyone affected by this in one way or another is okay.

[statman]

They had some extra rain, but also had a LONG winter - they had significant snowstorms in Edmonton and Calgary in mid May. When the thaw comes late, it comes hard. Same thing as here in Utah. When the snows in the Cottonwoods last into May, the likelihood for the creeks to flood goes way up - even if the total snowpack isn't huge.

[Northwestcoug]

Large tree taken down by the flood in downtown Calgary:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151564816986026

[Northwestcoug]

They had some extra rain, but also had a LONG winter - they had significant snowstorms in Edmonton and Calgary in mid May. When the thaw comes late, it comes hard. Same thing as here in Utah. When the snows in the Cottonwoods last into May, the likelihood for the creeks to flood goes way up - even if the total snowpack isn't huge.

I think I had heard that from my wife's family before, but I hadn't made the connection until now.

[chrisrenrut]

We plan to be on a motorcycle trip up there the 2nd week in July. Sounds selfish, but I hope things subside soon, especially in Banff and Canmore. If not, maybe we'll find some service opportunities.

[Northwestcoug]

We plan to be on a motorcycle trip up there the 2nd week in July. Sounds selfish, but I hope things subside soon, especially in Banff and Canmore. If not, maybe we'll find some service opportunities.

I hope it does for your sake. It's some of the most beautiful scenery on the continent.

[Northwestcoug]

The waters are receding in Calgary, but in other places its still rising. 10000 people in Medicine Hat (~ 1/6th of the population) are being evacuated.

[lambdacoug]

The power of flooded, raging rivers is awesome to behold. I spent several days in the summer of '93 sandbagging the Missouri river. Witnessing that kind of thing up close stays with you.