As heavy rains and possible floods are expected, a local state of emergency has been declared in Calgary, which will last for 14 days, Mayor Joti Gondek announced on Monday.
“I realize that this may cause some fear, some concern for the Calgary people, especially those who went through this in 2013,” she said.
“I can tell you you’re in good hands.”
The order can be revoked or renewed “if necessary,” Gondek said, and is done “with extreme caution.”
Several trails on the Bow and Elbow rivers have been closed, water pumps have been positioned and the Glenmore Reservoir has been lowered in anticipation of significant rainfall in Calgary.
The city has created an online map tool that shows the most flood-affected areas of Calgary.
The declaration of a local state of emergency was made for several reasons, Gondek said.
“First and foremost, this allows the Calgary Police Department and the Calgary Fire Department, if necessary, to go from door to door to inform people that they may be on an evacuation order. No such order has yet been issued, but evacuate people if necessary, allowing police and firefighters to advise people on properties that may be affected. “
The city of Calgary has created an online map showing the areas affected by the floods. (Courtesy of Calgary)
It also allows members of the city’s water services team to have access to property if necessary to protect critical infrastructure, and offers the city’s “purchasing flexibility”.
Gondek said current levels in the Bow and Elbow rivers were “significantly lower” than during the 2013 floods.
Some businesses are still active, including River Cafe in Prince Island Park, which was closed in the event of a flood in the following days, with staff removing the perishable food on Monday afternoon, along with an extensive wine collection.
“After two devastating floods, we can’t just wait and see what happens,” said owner Sal Howell. “We have friends in the community who will help us store our food and wine until the river recedes.
Rain warnings as well as flood warnings are also in force at the foot, through Banff, Kananaskis and Exshow.
Although precipitation forecasts vary, CTV News meteorologist Kevin Stanfield said rain between 80 and 100 millimeters is expected to fall by early Wednesday, while in some areas it could be more than 150 millimeters.
Since the floods of 2013, more than $ 150 million has been invested in mitigation projects, which have reduced the risk of floods by 55 percent, according to city officials.
Some of these projects include:
- Construction of new, permanent flood barriers along Heritage Drive, along Eau Claire to downtown, Inglewood and the Calgary Zoo;
- New 2.5-meter-high steel gates at Glenmore Dam, which have doubled their water storage capacity to hold more water and release it at a slower speed along the Elbow River;
- Construction of elevator stations, drainage improvements and upgrading of the rainwater trunk in various established neighborhoods to reduce the risk of localized floods from heavy rainfall;
- Increase resilience to multiple rainwater drains to prevent re-flooding in affected communities and;
- Bridge upgrades to maintain access and prevent damage during high flow events.
The flood barrier in downtown Calgary has also been completed and runs from the Peace Bridge to the Reconciliation Bridge, and construction has begun on the Springbank Off-stream reservoir west of the city.
The protection, introduced over the past nine years, reduces the risk of flooding in Calgary by about 55 percent, according to the city.
Experts still recommend that people remove valuables and documents from basements if you are near areas at risk of flooding and test tank pumps to make sure they are working properly.
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