Calgary,
15
June
2022
|
12:17
America/Denver

Revised Update on City of Calgary response to weather event

The system has begun to move east resulting in conditions tapering off.  Environment Canada has ended the wind and rainfall warnings, but the State of Local Emergency remains in effect.  

Over the last 48 hours Calgary has received 70–80mm of precipitation with up to 100mm in localized areas.  Wind gusts are expected to reach 70 km/h today. 

The boating advisory remains in effect on both the Bow and Elbow rivers and will be in place until water levels taper off to a safe level. Calgarians are advised to stay away from the rivers and against boating and all other watercraft activities on the Bow and Elbow rivers during this time.

The Elbow River has reached its peak flow and isn’t anticipated to rise any higher and the Bow River is expected to crest this afternoon.  Water levels are expected to remain high for the coming days and can change with additional weather systems.  Members of the Calgary Fire Department Aquatics Team will be monitoring the rivers while the boating advisory is in place, and we will continue to keep the public informed of any changes.

“While we received less precipitation than expected we want to remind Calgarians to stay off the river and continue to exercise caution while the State of Local Emergency is in place.  The flood resiliency planning and mitigations undertaken since 2013 have continued to support our response to this weather event,” stated Sue Henry, Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief.

We continue to monitor the weather systems approaching.  While we are fortunate that some of this precipitation fell as snow in the mountains, we have highly saturated ground and are still in our high flow season.  The City’s Water Resources team continues to update forecasting and modeling every six hours to inform our response.

In addition to the boating advisory, here is information that is important to stay safe.

Park closures

Rideau Park is now closed along with Bowness Park, St. Patrick’s Island and Prince’s Island Park.  They will remain closed until further notice.  Information on closures is shared on calgary.ca/flood.

Roads

Roads in Calgary remain safe to travel. Motorists are still advised to exercise caution while driving, particularly near any low-lying areas and constructions, where there may be debris or pooling on roads.

Tree impacts

If you’d like to report a downed tree on City property or blocking a roadway, report it on the 311 app or online at calgary.ca/311. If the tree is on private property, it is your responsibility to arrange removal services.

If the tree has fallen on a power line, call the Enmax Power Trouble Line at 403-514-6100. If you see sparks or fire, call 911.

Take steps to be flood ready

·         Move valuables and documents out of your basement as basement seepage is possible in river communities in lower-lying areas

·         If you have a sump pump or backflow valve, ensure it’s working.

·         Citizens should make sure to clean debris from eavestroughs, so they don’t overflow with water and seep into basements. Point downspouts away from homes onto grassy areas so water soaks into the ground.

Stay updated

Forecast and river conditions can change quickly and with little warning, so it’s important Calgarians continue to stay informed. Visit Calgary.ca/floodinfo to sign up for emergency notifications and follow updates from The City through local media and on The City’s social media.

These conditions are current at the time of writing. Note that weather and river conditions are subject to rapid change without notice. The City is continually monitoring for changing conditions and will respond accordingly. To learn more about river flow rates, what is normal, and when flooding begins, visit our updated River Flow Rates webpage.

Additional support

We recognize that the uncertainty caused by the heavy rainfall can be a challenging and emotional experience.

If you need mental health support, one of the free, confidential help lines available is @211Alberta. Dial 211, text INFO to 211 or visit https://ab.211.ca & click live chat.

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