As Alberta Floods ..

Over the years I have watched numerous natural disasters on television, I have always watched with a feeling of sadness for the people being effected, but this was always a detached kind of feeling.  I would sympathize and maybe donate a few dollars or send a supportive note, but I never really had that true understanding.   

For the past few days I have been glued to the television watching my province and city suffer through the worst flood in recorded history.    All the while I sat in my dry home on high ground with my family and friends. I have slept warm in my bed at night and have had very little change to my day to day life.   All of the schools have been closed and my husband cannot get to work as it is flooded, so it has felt more like an extended long weekend than a Natural Disaster.  

Only there is a major change for me, and it comes in the form of a very heavy heart and an deep empathy for all that are effected and working so hard to keep the waters at bay and the public safe.   There is not enough gratitude in the world for the Police, Firefighters, Paramedics, Military and Government officials who are working non-stop to get our communities back to normal.

Perhaps this is why I have been glued to the TV.  I don't want to shut it off and try to forget all that is going on, I want to be a part of it no matter how indirectly.   I want all of the information I can get and I want to find ways to help.  At the moment they are looking to keep Calgarians in their homes and off the roads.   The city has asked us to keep our water usage down and not go out to effected areas.   I can do that!

I fully expect there will be need for volunteers, money, food, toiletries and so on and I will do what I can.   I know I am one of thousands who are at home and want to help  We are ready, we are willing and when the time comes to get out there and do something, we will.

Here are just a few of the images from the past two days.

Edmonton Journal

Beacon News

Global News

 I noted under each picture where I got them from, there are thousands of images such as this.  As I said I have not been down to the flood zone as the city is asking people to stay away so I have no images of my own.   Most of our Downtown is covered in water as are the Stampede Grounds, Calgary Zoo (all of the animals are ok) and up to 23 neighbourhoods that have been evacuated, and that is just the City of Calgary.   There are up to 28 communities in Southern Alberta that have been effected and some, such as High River, are almost completely under water.

The  Canadian Red Cross is taking donations if you want to help out but of course thoughts and prayers are more than welcome too.

To all residents effected by this flood my thoughts are with you.

Janet Y