As the shock wears off

We are now in the stage where shock starts to wear off. Evacuees and non-evacuees alike will be hit with the full force of what has happened to them, their friends, and this City. Coping mechanisms will vary; some will make sense, like helping a neighbour clean their flooded home, and others will not; like buying all the twinkies a person can find. 

Consider yourself.  Your own reactions may vary. You may suddenly realize you forgot to check in with your second cousin who lives in an evacuated area. That's ok. You may realize you're ill-prepared for a long emergency. That's ok too. Worry and anxiety may start to rise faster that the floodwaters. This is not the end of the world. 

Consider a few questions for yourself: 

1. How are you feeling right now?

2. Is there anyone you can hang out with or speak with today? It is important to have face-to-face connections. 

3. Are you safe? 

4. Is there something you can do right now that will make you feel productive? Making a pot of tea, folding laundry, sweeping the kitchen floor are all easy examples. 

These questions, while trivial, can help alleviate any rising anxiety or calm any fears. Even if you yourself seem ok, take a look at the people around you. Check in with them. 

We are all in this together. 

Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand. - How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Take care. 

Returning to your evacuated home - is it worth the risk?

If you've been evacuated and are contemplating breaching the orders to return to your home to gather supplies, I want you to ask yourself something:

Is this item more important that three lives? 

By re-entering an evacuation zone, you become a draw on existing evacuation resources. Emergency services are working to triage all situations; once a zone is clear, they can shift their focus on another area. By returning prematurely to your home,  you not only compromise your own safety, you will put emergency services personnel at risk. You will put another person's life at risk, since emergency personnel must focus on you rather than someone else.

That's three lives at risk: yours, the emergency personnel, and the person they couldn't help because of you. 

I can empathize with you; I can imagine all the justifications I would give myself to go back, and all the steps I would take to ensure my own safety. A flood, however, is unpredictable. You have no idea what is upstream; a bridge, a tree, a house about to come loose from its foundation...all of these will put you in danger. 

Don't do it...or if you do, make sure you have a will. Include a bequest to the local emergency services. 

Once the waters have receded and you have explicit permission to return to your home, there are some important precautions to take. Keep these in mind as you plan your return home: 

Before you even go inside: 

• Do not return home until authorities have advised that it is safe to do so.
• If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
• Make sure the building is structurally safe.
• Look for buckled walls or floors.
• Watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris

Re-entering your home

• Maintain good hygiene during flood cleanup. Minimize contact with floodwater or anything that may have been in contact with it. Keep children away from contaminated areas during cleanup operations.
• Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire when turned on. Do not use any appliances, heating, pressure, or sewage system until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried, and inspected by a qualified electrician.
• The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried, and tested by a qualified electrician to ensure that it is safe.
• Depending on where you live, your municipal or the provincial inspection authority is responsible for the permitting process required before your electric utility can reconnect power to your home.

Water

• Flood water can be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. It can cause sickness and infections.
• If through colour, odour or taste you suspect that your drinking water has been contaminated, don't drink it.
• Household items that have been flood-damaged will have to be discarded according to local regulations
• Remove water from your flooded home slowly. Drain it in stages – about one third of the volume daily – because if the ground is still saturated and water is removed too quickly, the walls or the floor could buckle
• Use pumps or pails to remove standing water, then a wet/dry shop vacuum to mop up the rest.
• For instructions on how to disinfect and restore wells and cisterns, contact your local or provincial health authorities or emergency management organization.

Documentation

• Store all valuable papers that have been damaged in a freezer until they are needed 
• Record details of flood damage by photograph or video, if possible.

Recommended flood cleanup equipment

• Gloves
• Masks and other protective gear
• Pails, mops and squeegees
• Plastic garbage bags
• Unscented detergent
• Large containers for soaking bedding, clothing and linens, and clotheslines to hang them to dry
• Depending on your situation, you may need to rent additional equipment such as extension cords, submersible pumps, wet/dry shop vacuums, a carbon monoxide sensor and dehumidifiers, fans or heaters.
• When using the equipment, keep extension cords out of the water.

Heating and appliances

• Do not heat your home to more than 4°C (about 40°F) until all of the water is removed.
• If you use pumps or heaters powered by gasoline, kerosene or propane, buy and install a carbon monoxide sensor. Combustion devices can produce large amounts of lethal carbon monoxide if they're not tuned-up or are improperly ventilated.
• Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels until they have been checked by your local utility.
• Whether you use a wood, gas or electrical heating system, have it  thoroughly inspected by a qualified technician before using it again. Replace the furnace blower motor, switches and controls if they have been soaked.
• Flooded forced-air heating ducts and return-duct pans should be either cleaned or replaced.
• Replace filters and insulation inside furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers if they have been wet. However, it is often cheaper to replace this equipment.

Structures

• Ventilate or dehumidify the house until it is completely dry.
• Rinse and then clean all floors as quickly as possible.
• Replace flooring that has been deeply penetrated by flood water or sewage.
• Clean all interior wall and floor cavities with a solution of water and unscented detergent.

Food and medicine

• All undamaged canned goods must be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
• Dispose of all medicines, cosmetics and other toiletries that have been exposed to flood water.
• Dispose of any of the following food items if they have been exposed to flood water:
  • Contents of freezer or refrigerator, including all meats and all fresh fruit and vegetables
  • All boxed foods
  • All bottled drinks and products in jars, including home preserves (since the area under the seal of jars and bottles cannot be properly disinfected)
  • Cans with large dents or that reveal seepage

Before moving back in

Once the flood waters have receded, you must not live in your house until:

• The regular water supply has been inspected and officially declared safe for use.
• Every flood-contaminated room has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and surface-dried.
• All contaminated dishes and utensils have been thoroughly washed and disinfected – either by using boiling water or by using a sterilizing solution of one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Rinse dishes and utensils thoroughly.
• Adequate toilet facilities are available. (For more information, consult your local health authority.)

Information taken from Gov't of Canada: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/flds-ftr-eng.aspx

In case the City of Calgary website crashes...UPDATED June 21 11:12 am

All information from the Calgary News Blog. http://www.calgarycitynews.com/

State of Local Emergency Information

Due to the volume of information and requests, we are unable to respond to questions and comments posted on this blog. If you require immediate assistance regarding the flood situation please contact 3-1-1 or if an emergency, 9-1-1.

10:49 a.m., June 21, 2013 State of Local Emergency- Update- New Information

All Calgarians are asked to refrain from non-essential travel.

NEW INFORMATION:

The 911 emergency phone system is operational. Anyone needing emergency assistance should call 911. People whose homes are without power must use either a cell phone or a phone that does not require electricity to operate and is plugged into a hardwired phone jack.

Power has been shut off in evacuated communities for the safety of citizens and first responders. However, Enmax is unable to isolate portions of the power grid by community and as a result Calgarians living in neighbourhoods bordering evacuated communities may also be experiencing power outages. Enmax asks for the patience of all Calgarians currently experiencing power outages.

7:29 a.m., June 21, 2013 ENMAX power outages

Power has been shut off in evacuated communities for the safety of citizens and first responders. However, Enmax is unable to isolate portions of the power grid by community and as a result Calgarians living in neighbourhoods bordering evacuated communities may also be experiencing power outages. Enmax asks for the patience of all Calgarians currently experiencing power outages.

6:29 a.m., June 21, 2013 State of Local Emergency - Update


The City of Calgary remains in a state of local emergency due to significant flooding. The Elbow River downstream of the Glenmore dam is expected to crest early this morning. As flows stand now, it is anticipated Bow River water levels will stay steady. Water levels in both rivers are expected to remain extremely high for several days.

All Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Separate School Board schools are closed. There is no access through the downtown core via transit or c-train. Numerous downtown buildings have been closed including The City’s Municipal Complex, Public Building and Andrew Davison Building. All Calgarians are asked to refrain from non-essential travel.

Numerous roads and river bridges are closed including:

 Road closures

• 17 Ave – Deerfoot:  NB to WB ramp
• Glenmore – Deerfoot:  NB to EB ramp
• SB Macleod Tr (Patterson)
• NB Macleod Tr (Victoria) 
• 9 AV and 7 St SE, just north of MacDonald AV SE 
• NB Crowchild Tr at Bow TR is closed and southbound Crowchild Tr, north of Kensington also closed due to the intersection of Kensington and Crowchild being flooded
• SB Macleod Tr at 10 AV 
• SB Macleod Tr at 9 AV 
• Heritage Dr from Heritage Meadows Rd to Glenmore Tr SE
• WB Glenmore Tr ramp to N&S Deerfoot Tr
• 4 St north of 26 Avenue/Elbow Drive 
• 5 St at 26 Avenue 
• 26 Avenue between 4 & 5 Streets SW 
• Elbow Drive from 26 Avenue/4 Street to 32 Avenue 
• EB Memorial Drive ramp to St. Georges Drive 
• No access to Memorial Drive from the Zoo Island.  St. Patrick’s/St. George’s/Zoo Island access to south shore only.
• EB Memorial Drive NW from 10 St to Edmonton Trail (west intersection) 
• WB Memorial Drive NE from Edmonton Trail (west intersection) to 10 St 
• Crowchild Trail ramps to Memorial Drive EB

Bridges over the Elbow River

• 4 St SW
• 25 Ave SW
• SB Macleod Tr (Patterson)
• NB Macleod Tr (Victoria)
• Macdonald Avenue
• 9 Avenue SE/Inglewood

Bridges over the Bow River

• Baines Bridge at the zoo
• St. Georges Bridge
• 17 Avenue SE
• 16 Ave, west of Home Rd
• Shouldice bridge (Bowness Rd)
• 85 Street NW bridge
• Centre St underdeck
• Langevin (Edmonton Tr)
• Crowchild Tr over Bow Tr
• 4 Ave flyover
• CN bridge/Calf Robe

Mandatory evacuations are currently in place for portions of the following communities:


Beltline
Bonnybrook
Bowness
Bridgeland
Chinatown/Eau Claire
Cliff Bungalow
Deer Run
Discovery Ridge
Douglasdale
Downtown/East Village
Elbow Park
Erlton
Inglewood
Hillhurst
Mission
Montgomery
Quarry Park
Rideau
Riverbend
Riverdale
Roxboro
Stanley Park/Elboya
Sunnyside
Victoria Park
Westmount/West Hillhurst
Windsor Park


To ensure the safety of citizens and first responders, gas and power is shut off to evacuated areas once they have been deemed cleared. Notification to all mandated evacuated areas has been completed. Any residents remaining in these areas are asked to self evacuate immediately.

Evacuees who cannot arrange for alternate accommodation can be supported with food, shelter, bedding and other essential services at one of the following reception centres:

• Village Square Leisure Centre, 2623 56 Street NE
• South Fish Creek Recreation Centre, 333 Shawville Blvd SE (please access through west doors)

The Southland Leisure Centre and Acadia Recreation Complex reception centres are at capacity.

Centre Street Church, 3900 - 2 Street, NE remains open as a day resource centre.

People can take their pets to the Animal Service Centre, 2201 Portland St. S.E. or The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 110th Ave SE, if they cannot arrange accommodation for them.

Emergency Response

The City is asking all citizens to help the authorities who are responding to this emergency by observing these restrictions:

• Do not drive to or near affected areas unless you are involved in the emergency response. Extra traffic will prevent the authorities from responding quickly. Pedestrians are asked to stay off all bridges. 
• Do not use the phone unless you are requesting help or reporting an important event.
• Unnecessary phone calls could overload the telephone system and limit the authorities' ability to communicate.

Call 311 only for flood related calls. Call 911 in case of emergency.

Originally posted June 20 11:35 pm. 
Updated June 21 9:37 am. 
Updated June 21, 11:12 am. 

UPDATED: Important Twitter hashtags and accounts to follow

Hi Team, 

For uprooted evacuees, staying connected is helpful. For the rest of us, it's information in real time. Let's see Twitter in action! 

Important twitter hashtags: 

#abflood

#yycflood

#yychelps --> for those looking for homes, or those offering places for evacuees to stay!
*NEW* #abhelps --> province wide

Note - you don't need to have a Twitter account to follow the tweets. Just go to twitter.com and enter a hashtag into the search bar. Prepare to be amazed. 

Important twitter accounts to follow: 

@cityofcalgary

@CalgaryPolice

@CBCCalgary --> their studio is in an evac zone, but their twitter is updated often

@AB_EmergAlert

@nenshi

@RedCrossAB --> not updated very often, since they have their hands full
*NEW*
@RedCrossCanada
@AHS_media -->Alberta Health Services, they'll post boil water advisories, as well as hospital facilities updates
@CTVCalgary
@511Alberta -->Alberta's Road Report

I've been tweeting as well, but it's sporadic. You can follow me @findtheexits

Stay safe.

Originally published June 20, 11:24 pm. Updated June 21 10:45 am.

Looking to donate? Send cash!

Hi Team,

Not quite the appropriate gift for flood victims

The Red Cross does not accept in-kind donations, like clothing, food, or water. It can become a struggle for Red Cross to sort, store, and distribute those kinds of materials...especially when all those hands could be used to stack more sand bags or help people out of the water.

The best way to contribute is through financial donations.

During the northern Alberta fires (known as the Slave Lake fires), donation centers were overwhelmed with donated goods, from artificial Christmas trees to scuba gear. It is so considerate of Albertans to want to help rebuild people's lives, but when they don't have socks or an extra t-shirt, these types of donations are not going to help.

The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations online, by phone at 1-800-418-111 or in person at any Red Cross office or branch. To find out more, follow Canadian Red Cross on twitter @RedCrossCanada or Red Cross Alberta @RedCrossAlberta

Summary for Calgarians, update province-wide

Hi Team,

For Calgary: 

1. Downtown is closed. 

2. All schools are closed, including post secondary institutions

3. Calgarians are being urged to stay home today. 

4. There are many road closures and transit disruptions, and evacuation zones are closed to traffic

5. It's tempting, but don't go sightseeing; your life is more important that a status update with a picture. 

6. MORE RAIN IS EXPECTED - if you had plans to travel outside of the city, you may want to rethink it.

Communities is states of emergency: 

Black Diamond
Calgary

Canmore

Cochrane

High River

Okotoks
Rockyview County

The MD of Crowsnest Pass

The Municipal District of Bighorn
The MD of Foothills

Road closures 

Highway closures in effect for parts of Deerfoot Trail, highway 1, 1A, 24, 93, 66, 738, 734, 68, 541, 549 EAST, 742 and 40 due to flooding and mudslide. Rainfall warning remains in place for the Foothills. 

Link to Alberta Road Report. 

To stay updated, follow these folks on Twitter: 

@cityofCalgary

@CalgaryPolice

@CBCCalgary

@AB_EmergAlert

@nenshi

@RedCrossAB

@findtheexits 

Important hashtags

#yychelps --> offers of homes for evacuees, or requests for places to stay

#yycflood

#abflood

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/dozen+Alberta+communities+various+states+emergency+flooding/8555510/story.html#ixzz2WrfYdPNe

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/More+than+rescued+from+rooftops+High+River/8553169/story.html#ixzz2Wrf4hb3e

Twitter feed for #yycflood

I'm going to bed, but for those of you still up, here is a live twitter feed for hashtag #yycflood: Tweets about "#yycflood"

Evacuation Maps - all in one place!!

Head to the City of Calgary's Flickr feed for the updated evacuation maps all in one place! http://www.flickr.com/photos/calgarypolice/sets/72157634239112911

Prepare for power outages and low water quality

Hi Team, 

As it stands right now, the flood is not affecting water quality, but there is a possibility that may change after the high water hits us tonight.

We may also see power outages across the city, and if the downtown is affected, we may see communication (phone/internet) affected as well. Many of our news broadcasters have studios downtown, so some of them have already been evacuated. 

To prepare your home: 

WATER: 

The rule of thumb is 4 litres of water/person/day. That's 2 litres (aka 8 cups) for drinking, and 2 litres for food prep. 

Preventative:

- Locate the incoming water valve in your home. You'll need to shut it off to stop contaminated water from entering your home if there are reports of broken water or sewage lines. 

- If you're already prepared for zombies, you may have water stored already. If not, fill as many food grade plastic, glass, or metal containers with water as possible...even your bathtub. Just make sure it's clean first. 

- If you have a camp shower, fill it up.  

- For those of you in rural areas, if there is a power outage your pump may be affected, making it difficult to draw water out of the well. Water storage is a good idea just in case. 

- Store water out of the sun...although with this weather, we probably won't have to worry about it. 

If a Boil Water Advisory is issued

A full boil for at least one minute is recommended. At elevations over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) you should boil water for at least two minutes to disinfect it. The Calgary International Airport is at 1084 m above sea level. Nose Hill is 1125 m -  1230 m. I'd recommend boiling it for two minutes just to be safe. 

- Boil all water used for drinking, preparing food/beverages, ice cubes, brushing teeth, or washing fruits and vegetables.

- You can bathe or shower with unboiled water, just refrain from drinking it. 

- If you have a Britta filter, or another similar activated carbon filter designed to improve taste, odour, or chemical quality, you still need to boil the water. 

- Disinfectant devices using UV light units may be an alternative to boiling. Check with the manufacturer to be certain. 

Other methods to disinfect water: 

- chlorine tablets - follow instructions

- unscented household bleach with 5% chlorine, but only if Giardia or cryptosporidiosis (beaver fever) is not a concern. Add 0.05 ml of bleach to 1 L of warm water. Shake, and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes. The longer the water is left to stand, the more effective the disinfection process will be. It should still smell like chlorine after 30 minutes. 

- Iodine should be used with warm water (20C) and let stand a minimum of 20 minutes after mixing and before drinking. For cold water (15C or colder), increase waiting time to 40 minutes. If you are using 2% tincture of iodine, use 0.5 ml for every 1L.   *NOTE: pregnant women should not use iodine drops*

  

Some information taken from:

Global News "Boil Water Advisory - what to know" available here: http://globalnews.ca/news/409715/boil-water-advisory-what-to-know/

HealthLinkBC: How to Disinfect Drinking Water http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile49b.stm

National Terror Alert Response Center's Emergency Water Storage http://www.nationalterroralert.com/safewater/

POWER OUTAGE: 

- Locate your flashlight, extra batteries, and emergency candles and matches. Have them in an easy to find location in case the power goes out suddenly. 

- Locate your battery-powered or crank radio

- Charge your cell phones and laptops - it's important for you to stay connected while the power is out. 

-Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and  turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored.

Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so 

that both you and hydro crews outside know that power 

has been restored.

- Don’t open your freezer or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.

- Never use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating  equipment, or home generators indoors. They give off carbon monoxide. Because you can’t smell or see it, carbon monoxide can cause health problems and is life-threatening

All above information taken from the Government of Canada's "Power Outages - What to Do?" pdf, available here: 

http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/pwrtgs-wtd/pwrtgs-wtd-eng.pdf

UPDATE: 18 Communities now evacuating!

IF ANY MEMBERS NEED A PLACE TO STAY, see first post!

IF ANY MEMBERS CAN TAKE AN EVACUEE, see first post! 

Mandatory evacuation zones: Mission, Elbow Park, Stanley Park, Roxboro, Rideau, Discovery Ridge, Cliff Bungalow, Victoria Park, Inglewood, Stampede Park, Erlton, Bowness, Sunnyside, Westmount, Montgomery, Eau Claire, Downtown East Village, and Bonnybrook.

If you are in an identified area, please self-evacuate immediately!

PLEASE NOTE: Aside from residences, some of these neighbourhoods are part of downtown. If you work downtown, please consider staying at home tomorrow!!

For more information regarding steps to take to evacuate, click here : http://www.calgarycitynews.com/2013/06/municipal-emergency-plan-activated-in.html

From the above link:

While evacuating, residents are asked to:
• notify their neighbours before evacuating their homes
• mark an ‘X’ on their own front doors visible from the street for uniformed personnel (CPS and CFD) to confirm that the area has been evacuated

Calgary Police Service and Calgary Fire Department vehicles will be driving through these communities announcing the evacuation order with loud speakers and uniformed personnel will be confirming residents have evacuated.
Additionally, Calgarians living in low-lying areas that have experienced flooding in the past are asked to make arrangements to evacuate.

Evacuees who cannot arrange for alternate accommodation will be provided with food, shelter, bedding and other essential services at one of these reception centres:

Southland Leisure Centre, 2000 Southland Drive SW or
Acadia Recreation Complex A, 240 90 Ave SE.
And after 8:00 pm today
Centre Street Church, 3900 - 2 Street, NE

People can take their pets to the Animal Service Centre, 2201 Portland St. S.E. or The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 110th Ave SE, if they cannot arrange accommodation for them.

Stay safe. 

Update on Flooding from City of Calgary - info on new receptions centers and what to do with pets.

See the update here: 

http://newsroom.calgary.ca/pr/calgary/local-state-of-emergency-evacuation-246944.aspx

If you have a pet, please be sure to have someone take a picture of you with the animal before you release it to the reception center. During the Slave Lake fires, a neighboor of a dog breeder was able to steal a prize-winning dog because the animal knew him. 

Ideas for pet evacuation

- photos of distinguishing marks and full body shots

- tattoo or freeze brand identification number

- vet records (even an invoice can help prove ownership)

- photo of you with the animal

- clearly marked waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires - INCLUDE your contact information on the container, as well as instructions! 

- Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behaviour problems and the name/number of your vet

More information from the ASPCA: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness/

Mandatory evacuation in Calgary right now: Mission, Elbow Park, Stanley Park, Roxboro, Rideau and Discovery Ridge!

IF ANY MEMBERS NEED A PLACE TO STAY: Please post to the listserv and we'll try to find you homes.  Subject: Home needed! 

Include this information: 

- number of people in need of a home

- pets: specify species, space requirements, whether it/they get along with other animals. 

- any allergies, i.e can you stay in a home with pets and/or smoking

- whether you have a vehicle or need help evacuating

- any contact information you're willing to share to take conversations off the listserv (email address suggested)

ANY MEMBERS WILLING TO OPEN THEIR HOMES: Please post to the listserv. Subject: Home offered: [part of city]

Include this information in your reply: 

- number of available spaces in your home

- any pets

- can you take pets (specify species you're willing to accept, space availability)

- are you smoking or non/smoking

- whether you have a vehicle to help evacuate

- what part of the city you're in

- contact information you're willing to share to take conversation off listserv (email address suggested)

1.  Calgary has imposed mandatory evacuation for Mission, Elbow Park, Stanley Park, Roxboro, Rideau and Discovery Ridge neighbourhoods.

2. A reception center is being set up in Southland Leisure Centre:  2000 Southland Dr SW Calgary, AB. 

3. Any resident living in an area affected by the 2005 flood, please prepare yourself to evacuate. Gather your bug out bags, prescription medication, valuables. You may be asked to evacuate and head to high land. 

4. Any resident in the 2005 affected areas can self-evacuate. You can ask the city to shut off your utilities. The utilities will not be put back on until the event is over. 

 

Please see the press release here: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=951237

The whole thing is important, but skip ahead to 5:30 for more details on the evacuation plan for Calgary. 

From the video: 

"We will see a significant amount of water show up late tonight, through the nighttime hours, and into tomorrow morning. It will be in the magnitude of the 2005 floods or greater." 

"We will probably see water come over the top of the Glenmore dam, in a rate that probably exceeds the 2005 rates." 

Stay safe everyone.