Wow! This is 12 to 15 blocks from my place! My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected here in Calgary and surrounding communities. My neighbourhood is fine right now and I’m thankful for all those who have been asking about me. I want to say a big thank you to the City of Calgary – they are working their tails off. Last night I took a walk up to the 4th street bridge on Elbow Drive. I understand that the barriers they were building did not withstand the rising waters. The mayor is asking people to stay home and out of the downtown so the city can do their job. Please heed this advice.
The above is my facebook status this morning.
Southern Alberta Flooding 2013.
Calgary and surrounding communities are experiencing flooding that exceeds the flood of 2005. The TransCanada Highway is closed between Canmore and Banff and Canmore’s Cougar’s Creek has become a raging river. High River south of Calgary is completely under water. Other surrounding areas are also affected with devastating floods.
In Calgary, many of the communities around my neighbourhood have been put under mandatory evacuation. So far my community is still fine. The largest homeless shelter in Canada is being evacuated as I write. A thousand Drop In residents are walking over the bridge to the Bridgeland community.
I am in shock at the devastation in my city and surrounding areas. Out my window I hear helicopters and sirens continually. It feels like a Stephen King movie. It is so surreal. I am including a link to a compilation of videos taken across southern Alberta below. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=ptpPrzHg4qk&desktop_uri=/watch?v=ptpPrzHg4qk
artsifrtsy said:
I was watching this on the news and thinking about you up there in Alberta – I’ve read as you’ve posted but have been mostly offline for a couple of weeks and am glad to know that you are OK. It’s so hard to see so much devastation so close to home.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lorri. The weather seems to be cooperating and Calgarians are really going above the call of duty to help out. This morning we had a train derailment though on the the Bonnybrook bridge fully loaded with 6 train cars full of flammable materials and they’re now working to figure that out. Thankfully the bridge seems to have stopped sinking. Egads!
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Modern life is shockingly fragile sometimes…. be safe, be well!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you – I am well. A friend and I ventured out to offer our help today. I’m covered in mud and damn it feels good to help out!
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Wyrd Smythe said:
I wish there was an appropriate mud wrestling joke I could make….
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dianasschwenk said:
I was waiting an anticipating a comment from you! haha
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Oh, dear! Have I become that predictable?
Time to install a new personality chip!! 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
haha humour is needed in these parts – don’t go changin’!
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Professions for PEACE said:
It’s all so shocking, and I keep giving thanks that we bought this house on high ground! Like you, while we are safe, my heart goes out to all who are affected. The width of the Bow near me is about 3 times it’s usual girth, having flooded a gravel business on one side and a golf course on the other! Water always finds a way. Great post Diana. May we all stay safe!
Hugs, Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
And I am glad you are safe my friend. The Elbow seems to be going down, but I understand the Bow hasn’t peaked yet?
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Cassandra said:
Sending you cosmic hugs at this challenging time!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Cassandra!
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joannerambling said:
Floods are so terrible, I am lucky I have never experinced one…………my thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Joanne!
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russtowne said:
Stay safe, my friend. Please let me know if you need anything.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Russ. I think it is just really hitting me today. I’m ok. I wasn’t evacuated but I’m so teary and sad today.
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tersiaburger said:
Stay safe dear Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Tersia – so far so good!
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elizabeth2560 said:
Wow! And you waited so long for summer!
Keep safe.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Elizabeth! I’m sure summer will come. 🙂
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jensine said:
There have been loads of really bad and high floods in Germany and eastern Europe this year …seems to be a season of water
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dianasschwenk said:
It sure does!
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jaimestathis said:
WOW! I must be living in a SW Florida bubble. That’s unbelievable. Stay safe.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jaime!
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this is lemonade said:
Wow I didn’t know, Diana! Have been watching the floods spreading across parts of Europe recently. Seems like so many places have been affected all over the world. We only just got over some here not too long ago, although not in my area. It’s just so devastating, even if you don’t physically lose your home.
Praying for you and the whole community! Take care Diana xx
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dianasschwenk said:
World-wide craziness! Thank you so much!
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Carr Party of Five said:
Be Safe Diana♥
Love, Lis
oxoxo
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Lis.
xo
Diana
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bulldog said:
You are in my prayers… stay safe…
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you my friend.
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Do you think your home is in danger?? Is there any water flooding your street? What caused the flooding, anyway? Rainstorms? Sorry for all the questions.. 😦
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dianasschwenk said:
I think I’m on high enough ground and my street, besides the rain is fine. Tons of rain combined with the snow melting on the mountains. Parts of southern Alberta have had well over 130mm in the last 24 hours. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/21/alberta-flooding-evacuees-calgary.html
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Wow. Be safe!!!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Omg, Diana, I’m glad you aren’t in the midst of all that devastation. I watched the link you provided and it is awful what has happened. It reminds me of Hurricane Igor here in 2010, which was uber-scary for a lot of folks, but only one fatality. Take care, love! I hope the waters recede soon. x
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m actually surrounded by evacuted communities. My suitcase is packed in case my community is mandated to evacuate. I hope it recedes soon as well.
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Our Life In 3D said:
I read on my homepage web site this morning where 100,000 Canadians were going to be displaced from flooding. I didn’t know. We have some room at our house! 🙂 I hope you stay safe and dry. Thanks so much for the shout out this morning. What a great surprise! While my blog does not reflect it too much I am a student of Leadership and business too, much like you it seems. Thanks again!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes up to 100,000 in just Calgary – then there’s all the outlaying areas that are actually suffering more devastation. You are most welcome for the shout out!
Diana
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JackieP said:
Glad you are safe. So am I. I’m in Lethbridge and we have a lot of flooding also. I’m in a high ground community, so I will be ok, but a lot surrounding me.
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dianasschwenk said:
I’ve seen it on the news – my thoughts and prayers are with my southern neighbours!
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cyclingrandma said:
Weather changes all over the world. Seems everything now is extreme. Stay safe and hope it all subsides soon.
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dianasschwenk said:
So true. Thank you so much, I am blown away by the tenaciousness of Calgarians and their willingness to help each other!
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billgncs said:
stay safe and dry !
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Bill!
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billgncs said:
read my horse story today if you want to smile 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
OK!
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Healthy A-Z said:
Praying… Stay safe.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks!
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