3,000 escape Alberta floodwaters

[Canadian Socialist]

Last Updated Sun, 19 Jun 2005 10:54:41 EDT
CBC News

About 3,000 people in southern Alberta spent the night in emergency shelters after torrential rains forced some communities to declare a state of emergency.

The worst hit areas are in and around Calgary, where more than 2,000 people were ordered to leave their homes Saturday night. More than 1,000 others have been put on evacuation notice in the city.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier declared a local state of emergency because of flooding from the rising Elbow and Bow Rivers.
<snip>
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/19/flooding050619.html

After several years of drought, WHAM! This. Can you say "global warming"? Of course you can.

The flooding is only a few blocks from me (in Calgary). However, I'm very lucky I live at the top of a hill. Even then, I'm got some "leakage" in the basement. These poor people affected. Not that this particular crisis takes away from worst natural disasters in the world, it's just such a shock for it to happen right here.

[graywarrior]

1. Holy shit. You OK?

[Canadian Socialist]

3. I'm fine!

Thanks for asking. The leakage can be contained with a sponge mop. It's just messy and annoying. What I am worried about is if the sewer systems backup from the excessive overflow. Then I might have a real problem. But nothing like the people who live right by the rivers.:scared:

[mchill]

2. in Northern California

We are having sub 50 degree days and working on our 4th straight day of a cold rain storm. There is snow at the base of the ski area above town. Sometimes we've had this for a day or two in the first week in June, but NEVER this late or for this long, in June. Summer starts Tuesday and this is November weather. It should be 85 degrees, on the low end, by now.

[earth mom]

6. Can weather be "controlled"?

:tinfoilhat:

[Canadian Socialist]

7. In a sense, yes

cloud seeding used to be very popular on the Prairies back in the day. To make it rain. I'm not sure if they do that anymore.

[graywarrior]

4. I got wiped out by Hurricane Jeanne last summer.

I sort of know what you're going through up there.

[Canadian Socialist]

5. I've never been in a hurricane

or experienced an earthquake. But, having seen them on T.V. I can well imagine the fear/horror. I've lived through more than my fair share of blizzards (in New Brunswick, Winnipeg and here in Calgary), as well as devastating hail storms and tornados.

But, on a happy note... THE SUN! THE SUN IS OUT! And it's supposed to go up to 20 today. That should help dry things out.

Unless, of course, it's a trick. Damn you Mother Nature! <shakes fist at sky>. Heee.

[graywarrior]

8. 20 farenheight or celsius?

I've been through my share of blizzards when I lived in the northeast. Got trapped by the '78 blizzard. That was fun.

[progressivebydesign]

9. That's awful! Damn El Nino!!! n/t