Calgary declares state of local emergency as part of flood preparations
With heavy rains expected and flooding possible, a state of local emergency has been declared in Calgary and will be in place for 14 days, Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced Monday.
"I realize that may cause some fear, some anxiety for Calgarians, especially those who went through this in 2013," she said.
"I can tell you that you are in good hands."
The order can be rescinded or renewed, "as needed," said Gondek, and is being done "out of extreme caution."
Several pathways along 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 which shows areas of Calgary most impacted by flooding.
Declaring a state of local emergency was done for several reasons, said Gondek.
"First and foremost, it allows Calgary Police Service and Calgary Fire Department, as needed, to go door-to-door to advise people that they may be under an evauation order. No such order has been called yet, but if we need to evacuate people, this allows police and fire to advise people on properties that may be impacted."
The City of Calgary has created an online map showing areas being impacted by flooding. (Courtesy City of Calgary)
It also allows members of the city's water services team to access properties as needed to protect critical infrastructure, and offers "purchasing flexibility" to the city.
Gondek said current levels in the Bow River and Elbow River are "significantly lower" than they were during the 2013 flood event.
Some businesses are being proactive all the same, including the River Cafe in Prince's Island Park, which has been closed in case of flooding in the coming days, with staff removing perishable food on Monday afternoon, along with an extensive wine collection.
“After two damaging floods, we can’t just wait and see what happens, ” says owner Sal Howell. “We have friends in the community who will help store our food and wine until the river has receded.”
Though rainfall forecasts vary, CTV News Meteorologist Kevin Stanfield says between 80 and 100 millimetres of rain is set to fall by early Wednesday, while some areas could see upward of 150 mm.
Since the 2013 flood, more than $150 million has been invested in mitigation projects, which has reduced flood risk by 55 per cent, according to city officials.
Some of those projects include:
- Construction of new, permanent flood barriers along Heritage Drive, along Eau Claire beside downtown, in Inglewood and the Calgary Zoo;
- New, 2.5-metre high steel gates at the Glenmore Dam, which doubled its water storage capacity so it can hold back more water and release it at a slower rate on the Elbow River;
- Lift station construction, drainage improvements and stormwater trunk upgrades in various established neighbourhoods to reduce the risk of localized flooding from intense rainfalls;
- Resilience upgrades to multiple stormwater outfalls to prevent back-flooding into affected communities, and;
- Bridge upgrades to maintain access and prevent damage during high flow events.
Calgary's downtown flood barrier is also complete and runs from the Peace Bridge to the Reconciliation Bridge and construction has started on the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir west of the city.
The protection put in place in the last nine years reduces Calgary's flood risk by about 55 per cent, according to the city.
Experts are still recommending people should remove valuable items and documents from basements if you're located near flood-prone areas, and test sump pumps to make sure they're working properly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says, and rescue is underway
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. Some began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.