This week Fort McMurray is experiencing exactly what has been weighing so heavily on our minds: a flood and evacuation during COVID-19.
15,000 people have been evacuated and emergency crews have performed more than 200 rescues in areas where people were ordered to leave.
“This is, to my understanding, the worst flood that this region has experienced in 100 years… This is a one-in-100-year flood… Just unfortunately, it is this year while we’re dealing with the COVID pandemic.”
Fort McMurray Mayor Don Scott (Source: Global News)
Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this dual emergency. The hardship these circumstances place on so many people is unimaginable and we are truly saddened by this news.
How is Calgary preparing for a flood during COVID-19?
Although we’re more protected than we were in 2013, with the TransAlta agreement and the recently completed Glenmore Gates, there is still the possibility a full flood event could happen.
We’re sharing what we know about COVID-19-specific preparations so far, and there is more information expected in the coming days and weeks.
Communications
The City’s annual flood awareness program will be launching soon including updates on hydrometric (water level and flow), snowpack, meteorological, and COVID-19-related information.
Details about special considerations residents should be taking have not been released yet but we’ve learned that, in the event of an evacuation, hotels may be used to ensure social distancing measures.
Additionally, preparations such as moving vehicles, moving things away, and thinking about evacuation logistics will be emphasized this year.
Frontline flood refresher training
Normally, the City’s annual internal flood readiness refresher training (reviewing procedures, assembling berms/equipment in-person, etc) would involve many in-person components. The training will proceed, albeit a bit differently this year.
“In terms of having our own staff come to our staging areas and be deployed to individual sites, all of that has been reworked and replanned so we can maintain physical distancing.”
Frank Frigo, Watershed Analysis, City of Calgary
You may have more questions, and there is more information coming. We’ll keep you updated as we receive updates.
Media coverage:
- Calgary Herald – Calgary prepares for 2020 flood season with COVID-19 pandemic in mind
- Calgary Herald – Fort McMurray floods force 15,000 to flee; Premier Kenney pledges more police, flood mitigation supplies
- CBC News – Volunteers race to protect Fort McMurray hospital with thousands of sandbags
- Financial Post – ‘Devastation on all fronts’: For Canada’s oil town, severe flood just one in a series of disasters
- Globe and Mail – Officials in Fort McMurray monitoring river levels after ice jam causes flooding, forces evacuations
- Global News – Calgary faces additional flood preparation challenges amid COVID-19 pandemic
- Global News – Brian Jean says Fort McMurray will bounce back after losing rebuilt home to flood: ‘All this stuff can be replaced’
- The Canadian Post – Regions brace to fight rising flood waters and cases of COVID-19
- Huffington Post – Fort McMurray Evacuation Orders Issued As Spring Thaw Swells Rivers
Stay safe and if you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@crcactiongroup.com.
Regards,
Your CRCAG Board