Alberta Flood Watch 2014

[Codes]

I wasn't here for 1995, so I've only experienced last year's flood, which by all accounts was rather benign for us in Lethbridge.

My facility is in the river valley, so we could potentially have flooding in our fields and parts of our farm, but I don't think the levels will rise enough to affect the building itself. However, there is a good chance that we'll have to close, as part of the evacuation order/river bottom closing.

Also, this would be bad news for Softball Valley.

Acey, I say get used to it (unfortunately). Weather patterns are changing. Perhaps we are trending towards the new norm.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Acey

Lethbridge expecting 1995 level of flooding. Emergency declared.

1995 levels?! That was an insanely high flood event. Are you sure that's what they are predicting? I only ask because the Oldman River Dam was supposed to prevent that from happening again. I hope it doesn't come to pass because that was a huge disaster.

[Codes]

Originally Posted by Slava

1995 levels?! That was an insanely high flood event. Are you sure that's what they are predicting? I only ask because the Oldman River Dam was supposed to prevent that from happening again. I hope it doesn't come to pass because that was a huge disaster.

City Website:

http://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/...tion-2014.aspx

[Acey]

Lethbridge County has declared a state of local emergency, saying water levels in the Oldman River are extremely high and could rise to 1995 flood levels.

Albertans living in the Oldman River Valley are being told to anticipate a potential evacuation tomorrow, and to move livestock to higher ground.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...ency-1.2678660

"@LethbridgeCity: Fire Chief Cornforth says based on current projections we are looking at 1995 flood levels and we will continue to monitor levels. #yql"

"@SmkDunn: Lethbridge County declares state of local emergency- forecasters predicting Oldman river water levels comparable to 1995 flood #yql"

"@NewsTalk770: BREAKING: @LethCounty has declared a state of local emergency. Officials believe water levels could equal levels seen in 1995 #ABflood. #YQL"

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Codes

I wasn't here for 1995, so I've only experienced last year's flood, which by all accounts was rather benign for us in Lethbridge.

My facility is in the river valley, so we could potentially have flooding in our fields and parts of our farm, but I don't think the levels will rise enough to affect the building itself. However, there is a good chance that we'll have to close, as part of the evacuation order/river bottom closing.

Also, this would be bad news for Softball Valley.

Acey, I say get used to it (unfortunately). Weather patterns are changing. Perhaps we are trending towards the new norm.

One climatoligist or some kind of scientist was on the CBC after the flood last year saying that the conditions which led to the flood were still present. The main one being high water saturation of soil, lakes, wetlands, etc. All of the natural ways of preventing floods were sitting at high levels before the season really started. His comment was that these are cyclical and that you would likely have high flood risk years for a short period before the risk would receed. So while it might not be a long term new norm in the short term it was. No idea on where to go for a link to back up what I remember hearing though.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Acey

Oldman River will rise by 20 feet.

[badradio]

From Medicine Hat: BREAKING NEWS: Alberta Environment has issued preliminary river flow rates for the South Saskatchewan River that could reach 5,300 m3s on Friday. The river peaked at 5,460 m3s on June 24, 2013.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by fotze

I keep reading m3s. Is that m3/s?

Yeah. Cubic metres per second. They'll have to pull that massive sandbag job at Med Hat City Hall, I assume. Last year:

[Codes]

Originally Posted by GGG

One climatoligist or some kind of scientist was on the CBC after the flood last year saying that the conditions which led to the flood were still present. The main one being high water saturation of soil, lakes, wetlands, etc. All of the natural ways of preventing floods were sitting at high levels before the season really started. His comment was that these are cyclical and that you would likely have high flood risk years for a short period before the risk would receed. So while it might not be a long term new norm in the short term it was. No idea on where to go for a link to back up what I remember hearing though.

No disagreement here. But, if climate change is resulting in increased snow and rain flow, then it seems logical that the conditions for flooding may perpetuate longer than seen in the past.

But, I have no data to back any if that up. Just thinking out loud.

[Acey]

I could almost just copy my southern Alberta posts from the 2013 thread and they'd be applicable.

Oldman Dam tonight, trying to do its best impersonation of Niagara, similar to last year:


Pincher Creek quickly rising. This is about how it looked two days before peaking last year as well.


"@SmkDunn: Crowsnest Pass has now declared state of emergency- flood watch upgraded to flood warning. Residents to prepared for possible evacuation"

And like last year, Lethbridge seeking volunteers for sandbagging Paradise Canyon:

We are in need of approximately 50 volunteers to help stack and haul sandbags in Paradise Canyon tomorrow. If you are interested in helping out please go to the North doors of the First Choice Wellness Centre (there will be signs)

http://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/...se-Canyon.aspx

Then all this water merges with Calgary's water to sink Medicine Hat.

[nik-]

came home to a "water services turned off" notice and apparently there are emergency water services trucks outside? ... haven't looked yet. ALL HELL IS BREAKING LOSE!

I wonder if this is a my building thing or a Sunnyside thing

[gladaki]

My wife is in Red Cross Disaster Management team .They asked her to be on call for flood related situation.

[StrykerSteve]

Stay safe, folks.

[Dion]

To any members who are in the flood affected areas and those helping, please stay safe.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Not again, sheesh!

All the best to all of those affected.

[djsFlames]

Insane to think that if that system were a little further north we could've been looking at flood '13, part 2. Over 100 mm coming down there, similar to what happened over banff/canmore last year.

The frequency of high streamflow events in late spring in these parts is increasing..

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Insane to think that if that system were a little further north we could've been looking at flood '13, part 2. Over 100 mm coming down there, similar to what happened over banff/canmore last year.

Well, I don't want to sound overdramatic, but it IS "Flood '13, part 2". Just because Calgary is spared from the warnings does not mean the rest of Southern Alberta isn't reliving last year all over again. Especially Medicine Hat, which is forecast to have similar flow rates to last year going through it.

[FlamesKickAss]

West side of claresholm is apparently flooded. I am heading out to Lethbridge this afternoon.

[Trumbull]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

West side of claresholm is apparently flooded. I am heading out to Lethbridge this afternoon.

Doh. Crossing fingers for Lethbridge/High River.

[codynw]

Lethbridge really doesn't have that much to worry about. Some areas (Paradise Canyon is the only one that comes to mind) can be affected, but most of the city is pretty far away from the river valley anyways. Most people here should be fine.