State of Emergency

My city has been in a declared State of Emergency for 4 days now.

Last week, Calgary and much of Southern Alberta experienced unprecidented flooding as a result of unseasonably heavy rainfall and partially frozen/saturated ground during spring runoff from the Canadian Rockies.  Approximately 100,000 Calgarians were evacuated, the entire downtown was shut down, 24 neighborhoods flooded, roads & bridges closed, the last week of school has been cancelled ...

We've been fixated on the local news for days.  It is so surreal to be told the place you live is in a declared State of Emergency.  Read more here.

I'm very grateful to say that my family & home are safe.  We live on higher ground and have been spared.  We had a little water in our basement, but that was the result of a clogged eavestrough and was quickly remedied.  Some of my friends were evacuated, some were flooded, but everyone I know is at least safe.

My heart goes out to all my fellow Calgarians and Albertans whose lives have been so deeply and adversely affected by this devastating force of nature. 

Today the sun is shining and the waters are slowly receding.  Although the state of emergency has not been lifted, many are still displaced and an unimaginable amount of recovery and cleanup is ahead, volunteers are stepping forward in droves to help neighbors and strangers alike.  I'm very proud of this city and the people who live here.

Comments

[Dana]

Dear Kristyne, I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful city. It is heartbreaking for those affected by the floods. I am sure happy to hear that you and your family are fine, though!

We have had fires in Colorado Springs in an area that was mostly forest...511 homes were destroyed, but the firefighters saved over 3.000 homes. Now we have more fires in other parts of the state.....mother nature has not been kind to the earth lately!

I saw an address for quilters to send quilts for your area on Cheryl Arkison's blog if any of your readers are interested in sending quilts for relief efforts. If you know of another place to send them, please share.

Love and prayers to your family.

[Tina Marie]

I live in Calgary, too. The news and coverage of the flood has been so surreal. I was wondering how you were doing. We live on higher ground and weren't directly affected, but still feel such a sense of loss. I am amazed at this city's resilience and hopefulness, though. We moved to Calgary 6 yrs ago and are proud to be Calgarians.

[Kylie (Three Honeybees)]

Thinking of you and all of Calgary from here in Australia xx

[Ann]

Hi Krystine, do,hope the waters are receding in your lovely city and that you and the family remain safe, how about the new build is that ok too?

Well done on your little girls effort at chain piecing and those nesting seams I would be very proud if mine always turned out like that, she indeed is going to take after her lovely Mum.

Keep smiling thinking of you at this time.

Ann x

[Karin Millson]

It is the lowermost photo on the series that I would like to use. Bowness and the Shouldice bridge.I hope you got my previous comment posted to today's blog entry.
Hope to hear from you very soon,
karin