At least three deaths blamed on “stunning” flooding in Alberta

CALGARY, AB. – Officials are now blaming the devastating flooding in southern Alberta for at least three deaths in the province.

An estimated 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, with little information available on when they’ll be able to return.

“I’m not in a position right now to be able to give you timings on neighbourhoods that are along the Bow River and when people may be able to return to those homes, but we are slowly getting there,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

Many also have no idea whether they’ll have a livable home to return to once the floodwaters finally recede.

Experts say that in some areas, that could still be days. Officials say it could be mid-week next week before the core of Calgary is accessible.

‘Stunning’ is how Prime Minister Stephen Harper described the flooding in southern Alberta, after he boarded a military helicopter in Calgary to get an aerial view.

Calgary has been one of the hardest hit areas in the western province, and the city was something of a ghost-town Saturday.

There was some positive news for those who have been evacuated, with people in at least one Calgary neighbourhood being allowed to return home Saturday.

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The Red Cross says cash donations – not food and water – are needed. To make a contribution to relief efforts, click here. To donate to the Salvation army click here.

In hard-hit Calgary, floodwaters are up to the first ten rows in the Saddledome, home of the NHL’s Calgary Flames. A spokesperson for the building told our Calgary station 660News the entire events floor is underwater.

“We do have a level of water that encroaches up into the seating bowl,” the spokesperson said.

With the Calgary Stampede scheduled to take place at the beginning of July – about two weeks in the future – Sandra Prusina of 680News sister radio station 660News says a lot of questions can’t be answered.

“Who knows if the concerts are going to go on, and the integrity of the building – will it be impacted?”

However, Prusina finds the disaster is bringing out a variety of emotions.

“I think people are really shocked, but at the same time there’s this resilient attitude that resounds in this city when something happens. People really come together,” she said.

“You can see everybody posting on Kijiji saying ‘you know what? I have a spare room’ or ‘I have some water for you,’ so people are really opening their hearts and their homes to those that have been most impacted by what’s going on.”

The traditional Edmonton-Calgary rivalry went by the wayside, with the provincial capital city promising to send 100 of its police officers to help out where needed.

A total of 1,200 Canadian troops and eight military helicopters have been sent to the city to help local emergency crews with evacuations and sandbagging.

Emergency crews from Ontario, meanwhile, were planning to head out as soon as possible.

“The Ontario Red Cross is at this time mobilizing supplies to help shelter thousands of people in Calgary,” the agency’s Mike Morton said.

The power is off in much of the downtown core in Calgary still, with some of the outages done as a precaution, while others as a direct result of the flooding.

Officials say it could be the middle of next week before all of the lights are back on.

It had been a rainy week throughout much of Alberta, but on Thursday the Bow River Basin was battered with up to 100 millimetres of rain.

Calgary is not alone in its weather-related woes. There were flashpoints of chaos from Banff and Canmore and Crowsnest Pass in the Rockies and south to Lethbridge. In Banff the marathon scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled.

More than a dozen towns – including Medicine Hat – declared states of emergency earlier this week, with entire communities including High River and Bragg Creek under mandatory evacuation orders.

Some of the worst flooding hit High River, where it’s estimated half of the people in the town have experienced flooding in their homes.

One man living there said the sights have been unbelievable.

“I’ve never seen it rise this fast, this quick, and come in and do this much damage,” he said.

Military helicopters plucked about 31 people off rooftops in the area. Others were rescued by boat or in buckets of heavy machinery. Some even swam for their lives from stranded cars.

Relief Efforts

The Canadian Red Cross is supporting Calgary and all affected municipalities in Alberta, setting up several shelters to help those in the hardest hit areas.

A spokeswoman said their officials are also providing registration and inquiry services to individuals who have been evacuated, while mobilizing personnel and supplies to meet the needs of those affected by the flooding.

The Red Cross says cash donations – not food and water – are needed. To make a contribution to relief efforts, click here. To donate to the Salvation army click here.

Flood Insurance

Calgary and Alberta homeowners dealing with flood damage may not receive compensation from their insurance companies.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada labels damage from water coming through doors and windows as “overland flooding,” which is not covered.

However, car owners with comprehensive coverage are likely to be protected if their vehicle is flooded.

Property owners are being advised to check their policies and call the Bureau if they have any questions.

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