Wet long weekend weather causes some flooding, prompts warning from the city

All of the rain over the Victoria Day long weekend in Calgary has caused some localized flooding, and that’s enough to make people living in inner city neighbourhoods a bit nervous.

“We have been residents of the area for a number of years and living through the 2013 flood it seems like (the river) is up quite a bit,” one man told Global News.

The 2013 flood caused millions of dollars in property damage in communities like Cliff Bungalow, Mission, Rideau, Roxborough and Elbow Park.

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Thousands of people had to evacuate, and those affected three years ago aren’t anxious for a repeat.

“I was completely washed out,” said one man. “I was gone from my house for four months but I came back. I won’t come back next time.”

The danger of river flooding is highest in Calgary between May 15 and July 15, and according to the city the risk is the same each year.

“River flooding in the city is primarily caused by heavy rains in the Rocky Mountains. Two or more heavy rain days in the mountains can lead to flooding in Calgary with little to no warning,” the city said in a release. “That’s why the city monitors river forecasts, soil moisture, rainfall and snow melt rates in the mountains 24/7 during peak flood season.”

READ MORE: ‘Nothing to worry about’ as city monitors Calgary flood potential

River Engineering Lead Frank Frigo said long term weather data suggests normal to slightly wetter than normal conditions for the next three months.

“Over the last three years we’ve been implementing a comprehensive plan that incorporates the recommendations of our Expert Flood Management Panel to build flood resiliency in Calgary,” Frigo said. “A key undertaking has been The City’s partnership with the Province, where they have made important flood mitigation decisions such as Springbank Off-stream Reservoir, elevated hoists and gates on the Glenmore Reservoir, and a five-year agreement with TransAlta to make annual operations changes at Ghost Reservoir.”

READ MORE: Springbank dry dam project still faces opposition from Alberta landowners

For more information from the city on how to prepare for flooding, you can head to the city’s website.

With files from Gary Bobrovitz