Last Thursday / Friday, Calgary got hit with the worst flood that I have ever seen! Absolutely shocking the destruction that it caused. We (more the global 'we' than me personally) are still dealing with the aftermath of it. My photo album is continually being updated in hopes to record the craziness of it all.

I, of course, am only indirectly affected so I cannot even begin to imagine the emotions of those whose homes, businesses, family, and friends that were directly impacted. My heart goes out to them as they are returning to their communities to assess the damage. It's safe to say that anything in a basement in the Flood Zone is gone - drowned, ruined, washed away, etc. Many areas are still without power.

For my own record about this flood, I shall quickly list a few things.

• The Calgary Zoo, situated beside the Bow River, had to evacuate their animals to higher ground. Initial reports suggested that they were going to move the tigers and lions to the Calgary Courts. Interesting tactic for repeat offenders - jailed beside a tiger! Today, the giraffes are not fairing well from being in knee high cold water and are being monitored. Tiliapia, pirahanas, and one peacock died at the Zoo. The pictures of all the sludge throughout the entire Zoo complex indicate that it will take weeks to clean.
• The Bow River not only destroyed parts of Calgary but also highways, Canmore, High River, Bragg Creek, bridges, and more. Medicine Hat geared down and prepared once they heard it was headed for them. It seemed that we were not as prepared nor possibly even warned of the power of this flood.
• Friends evacuated their home in High River! Instead of solely worrying about their own home, they started organizing volunteer groups to help other homeless and displaced families. They asked for chicken / fish dishes and food for the Philipino community. I'm guessing High River has an ethnic population. My friends are truly amazing people!
• A friend was evacuated from their Calgary home but found out yesterday when they were allowed to go back that it wasn't flooded. No power yet but they were lucky.
• Another friend returned home, where she lived 3 blocks from the Bow River, with a group of friends armed to tear out carpets, pump out her basement, clean up the sludge / mud / destroyed items, etc. Her calm nature about this and acceptance that Life is more than personal effects but rather the 'people effects' is inspiring!
• Calgary Mayor Nenshi wasn't allowed to invoke the Darwin law to address the idiots who were canoeing leisurely down the Bow River a day after. He wanted to ... badly.
• The Saddledome (and the Stampede Grounds) were covered in water. They claim that they will be ready in 2 weeks time for the Calgary Stampede Rodeo. Today, the Dome was completely pumped out. But, they have a long way to go to repair / replace all the equipment, electrical, etc. Oh boy. Talk about the Greatest Show on Earth if they can get it running this year! WOW!
• One BC loser rejoiced in our disaster, "That's what you get, Alberta, for destroying nature and the environment! Justice! Hope you die in your destruction! blah blah blah." Last I heard that his FB page was deleted ... probably because of all the backlash. Yes, Alberta and all the tarsands caused the natural disaster. yeesh.
• One lady asked the police what they should do about all the homeless, displaced, vagrant people wandering around her neighborhood looking suspicious. The police responded politely that all suspicious people and activity should be phoned in. The others would probably like a sandwich.
• Mayor Nenshi asked for 600 volunteers for the Clean Up Calgary efforts. 7000 showed up! Yeah, Calgary!
• Calgary and Southern Alberta was declared a state of local emergency. Apparently, one cannot buy flood insurance in Canada. Sewage backup, yes, but not flooding. Hopefully, with the official declaration of emergency at the Provincial and Federal level, some financial support might come to all those who lost so much.
• The city can't figure out how to get around efficiently with all the bridges and major thoroughfares blocked off. Congestion of cars trying to negotiate when the mayor has said for people to NOT travel unless necessary. Where is everyone going today???? It took us 2 hours to get to our field trip today! A school bus of 50 students was not fun! Total travelling time: 3 hours. Time at Heritage Park: 2.5 hours. I haven't been there for 15 years and after running through it, skimming through everything, I still feel I haven't been there. Oh brother.

Ok, enough reflection about the floods. I'm sure more to come as Calgary begins to pull it together.

Oh, one last story that does relate to me! My dad is a gambler - loves to hang out at the Calgary Stampede Casino, which was one of the most affected area of Calgary by the river. He couldn't go to his favorite daily haunt so he had to navigate his way through all the police blockades, detours signs, traffic, etc to get to another casino ... on the day of the floods. Where has all his gambling buddies gone now? All separated now. boo hoo. oh brother.