Alberta Flood Watch 2013

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Very good read for anyone who follows this thread. I just wish people would get that they aren't saying to implement everything the Montreal Engineering report suggests, but rather at least take a good look at what could be done to mitigate damage from future floods, since they will happen...it's just a matter of time.

Trying to imagine the "worst meteorologically likely storm" with a peak Bow River flow of 6145 m3/s is insane. Hopefully we will never see close to that.

EDIT: Reading this report on Alberta Transportation's site about flood frequency analysis (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca...ffasixcase.pdf) was interesting. It notes that it is difficult to arrive at frequency conclusions for the Bow River basin because the events in the late 1800s and early 1900s varies so much from the rest. One report noted that "extensive forest fires that are said to have burned 60% to 80% of the Eastern Slopes in the late 1800's and early 1900's might partially account for the extreme floods before 1910." Also, there is apparently no explanation for the "major shift in rainstorm patterns after 1932".

This report notes that the lack of cyclonic rainstorms that draw moisture from the Gulf of Mexico are one reason for the lack of floods in a long period of time. The 2013 storm was definitely cyclonic in motion.

Very interesting stuff.

So how high would the water be in that case? Would houses outside of the flood plain be toast? I know Riverbend is pretty much just outside of the flood plain and the line actually travels along the edge of all the houses there.

[greyshep]

I also spent the day helping out in high river today. Lots of opportunity for anyone looking to volunteer. Great to see all the organized efforts heading out there. Many mobilizing in okotoks.

Get out there if you can, that town needs the help.

[worth]

I was in High River on Friday evening, and the town was deserted. There were only a few homeowners around, huge piles of garbage and debris on lawns and streets, and half the town still under water. Took a bit to find someone to help, but we finally did and they needed it badly. There were no volunteers around or anyone handing out water or food.

I am really glad to hear that the turnout over the weekend was large, because I was thinking, if this was all the help they were getting, this town is in huge trouble. I think it must have just the time of day I was there.

[surferguy]

Heard that a Flood concert is in the works for Aug 15

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Heard that a Flood concert is in the works for Aug 15

Like a huge Calgary based concert with big bands, or are we talking High River?

[Nyah]

Just wondering what is a good place to take flood damaged photo albums? I've got my friends albums from her house in High River and I'd really like to try and get them fixed up for her as she's obviously dealing with a lot of other crap right now. Some of them are mostly dried out and others still have mud in them. Any ideas? What would I be looking at regarding cost?

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Like a huge Calgary based concert with big bands, or are we talking High River?

I think its one large concert but I'm aware of another local group that would like to piggyback on that and have subsequent smaller, more localized concerts, featuring local artists plus one name artist from the larger concert, in the areas of Black Diamond/Turner Valley, High River, etc.

On another note, I was running on the other side of the Sheep River from Black Diamond yesterday morning and noted the bridge repairs are going quite well on Highway 22, connecting BD and Turner Valley. Should be paving in the next few days I think. Big dump trucks with fill were also moving down the road to presumably fill in the large chunk of the highway missing between the two towns. Fixing up Highway 22 in those two spots would relieve a lot of traffic problems in the area and re-open a major north/south connection around the south and west of Calgary (Bragg Creek to Longview).

Cowperson

[Slava]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya, it is a tricky issue. Not sure where I fall. Depends where you think the role of government should extend to. Usually the more left wing types want more governmental protections/backstops, but I doubt they would be for protecting investments of (probably) wealthier folks.

A vacation home is an investment, as is a rental property. Not sure if the government would protect me if I put $200k in some stocks in a company that got wiped out in a natural disaster. Did folks heavily invested in BP/Enron/Nortel/Bre-X get bailed out?

Government is there for backstops in the basic things, food, shelter and health, not really an insurance policy that does not have premiums.

Directly, no they wouldn't. They might help the company and in turn that would be a backstop for your shares, but I can't see them every saying "you owned shares, so here is a cheque" but I suppose it could happen.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by SebC

Silver lining: if you are going to get flooded twice, back-to-back is pretty much the best timing you can ask for. Stripped out, empty basements.

Well as someone that just had a new furnace and hot water heater installed after the first flood Friday's flood sure doesn't feel like good timing...

[Cowperson]

On my Facebook feed right now . . . . the wife of a volunteer said this happened in High River yesterday . . .

While they were working a limo full of partiers drove by hanging out the window dressed up for stampede having a grand time, video taping the disaster. This is just sickening, and those people should be ashamed of themselves.

Cowperson

[kevman]

Oh man it's pouring out again! More localized flooding on the way!?

[troutman]

Pouring cats and dogs in the NW.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by kevman

Oh man it's pouring out again! More localized flooding on the way!?

Drove back to my house in East Sunnyside, no trace of the lake that formed on Friday or anywhere near me. Looks like someone was on top of the sewer this time.

Funny didn't the city say Friday's flood was due primarily to high ground water/saturated levels? Man, lots of drying out must of happened in the last 3 days...

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

On my Facebook feed right now . . . . the wife of a volunteer said this happened in High River yesterday . . .

While they were working a limo full of partiers drove by hanging out the window dressed up for stampede having a grand time, video taping the disaster. This is just sickening, and those people should be ashamed of themselves.

Cowperson

That is freaking disgusting. Had the residents felt like pelting those people, and the limo, with mud/wet drywall/whatever, they would have been well within their rights. And shame on the limo driver for even agreeing to that. If they got the name of the company, I might consider phoning and lodging a complaint about that with management. Good hell, some people really freaking suck donkey butt.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

So how high would the water be in that case? Would houses outside of the flood plain be toast? I know Riverbend is pretty much just outside of the flood plain and the line actually travels along the edge of all the houses there.

Since that number is essentially the 1:1000 year storm, yes, a very large area outside the flood plain would definitely be toast. I would suppose you'd be looking at probably another 5+ meters of water in height over this year? I'm not sure.

[worth]

This is a picture I took in High River on Friday. You can see the waterline on this house very clearly. Every single fence and house has this mark on it. Also, looks at the grass. It is completely dead from being under water.

[Hockeyguy15]

I see no reason to throw out that red cooler.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by worth

This is a picture I took in High River on Friday. You can see the waterline on this house very clearly. Every single fence and house has this mark on it. Also, looks at the grass. It is completely dead from being under water.

Spoiler!

sad picture

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I see no reason to throw out that red cooler.

I assume this is sarcastic??

I was there helping clean up and one thing quickly noticeable was how water permeated everything. That cooler would have swamp water inside its walls. I guess if you are a fan of surrounding your drinks in backed up sewage then go ahead and keep the cooler.

[Hockeyguy15]

You are correct, I chose bad humour in situations like this rather than being all gloomy about it.