“Today is a sombre anniversary for many Albertans. It has been 10 years since floodwaters tore through southern Alberta. What was supposed to be the start of the summer for Alberta families was instead a time of hardship, grief and loss.
“The 2013 floods damaged homes, businesses and critical infrastructure, forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 Albertans and, tragically, took the lives of five people. Many Albertans lost their homes, their livelihoods, and witnessed unprecedented devastation directly in their communities. Many municipalities and First Nations suffered permanent changes to their community landscapes.
“While 10 years have passed, many Albertans continue to struggle with the physical and emotional impact and trauma caused by these floods.
“At the time, the floods were the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history and marked the first time that Alberta issued a provincial state of emergency.
“However, what we saw that day, and what we continue to see today, is that when Mother Nature brings her worst, Albertans respond with their best.
“In the aftermath of this once-in-a-century flood, Albertans responded by helping their neighbours and donating their time and money to support each other and help rebuild our communities. From Albertans working tirelessly into the night to fill sandbags for their neighbour’s house or business, opening their homes to those displaced or even assisting emergency crews, we saw the best of our province in some of its worst moments.
“This genuine empathy for the hardship of others and the overwhelming support from people across the province let those impacted know that they were not alone.
“The 2013 floods changed the way we prepare for severe weather events like flooding, making flood resiliency a higher priority across the province.
“Alberta is better prepared than ever for a flood emergency. More than 1,500 kilometres of new and updated flood mapping, improvements in flood forecasting and emergency response, and more than $278 million has been provided to support municipal and First Nations partners for flood protection.
“Today, we reflect not on the floodwaters or the damage done but on the resilience of Albertans and the inspiring actions of those who responded to help their neighbours when they needed it most.”