EDMONTON – Personnel and resources from the Capital Region head south to help victims of Alberta flooding.
Friday afternoon, 24 Alberta communities had declared local states of emergency.
Flood waters in southern Alberta have forced thousands of people to higher ground, as dozens of communities issued mandatory evacuation notices.
Canadian Forces says, by Friday evening, an estimated 1,300 soldiers will be deployed to aid in flood relief efforts in Alberta.
There are already about 600 Canadian Forces personnel from Alberta being moved to communities in crisis, including High River, Kananaskis and Canmore.
“Currently we have 600 soldiers either already in southern Alberta, or on the way to southern Alberta from Edmonton,” said Canadian Forces west spokeswoman Lt. Jennifer Wright Friday morning.
Imagery from the Canadian Forces’ Combat Camera on site will be available starting this weekend at http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/site/index-eng.asp
Red Cross teams from Edmonton have also travelled to Calgary to help at the evacuation centres, and more will arrive Friday evening.
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“We’ve sent a team of volunteers,” says Red Cross Disaster Relief Volunteer Brenna Brown. “I will be on the second team of volunteers to head down to help the Calgary team and supporting volunteers in their personnel and run these reception centres because we definitely don’t want them to see them burn out or exhaust their capacity.”
“We’re there to make sure that everyone has their basic needs met and we have a very committed team of volunteers across this country willing to step in and help us,” she adds.
“We’re also providing cots, hygiene kits, and blankets to evacuees and assistance to shelters.”
Brown says a benefit of the Canadian Red Cross is its capacity to help.
“Every time each local team needs more help, there’s always Red Cross teams in the surrounding communities, to the surrounding provinces, that – if we need to – we can go national, and call out highly trained volunteers from across the country to assist in this disaster,” explained Brown.
“We work with the best volunteers, who have the highest level of commitment, and we have trained and practiced for this.”
Brown adds – if needed – more personnel will be sent to help in the southern communities.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has already sent 100 police officers from the Capital City to help the Calgary department.
“We’re doing all we can do, whatever they ask for,” says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel. “They contacted the chief and they’re sending down 100 police officers, and I’ve been in contact with Mayor Nenshi through texting and if they need anything just call and we’ll be glad to help however we can.”
“It’s sad to see the horrible flooding and the loss of personal affects and memorabilia for people, and things like that, that’s difficult, you know? Losing pictures of something you’ve held for years, it’s not easy,” he says.
Still, Mandel says Calgary is doing well in its handling of the situation.
“Calgary’s a well-organized city, and they’ve probably got a very, very good emergency plan, and they’ll put that into effect and do all they can to ensure their citizens are safe and secure.”
“We’ll do all we can do help and just our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people,” Mandel adds, “and hopefully this will move on quickly.”
If you’d like to help, contact the Canadian Red Cross and request the donation be earmarked for the Alberta Floods.
The Red Cross has also set up an information line to assist with family re-unification. If can be reach at 1-866-696-6484.
For Albertans who would like to volunteer with these emergencies, the Non-Government Organization Council (NGO) has set up a toll-free line at 1-866-628-6565.
The Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society will also be collecting donations of blankets, pillows and unopened toiletries, to help those affected by the flooding. Donations can be dropped off at any Supercuts location in Edmonton, or at the society’s downtown warehouse, located at 10255-104 Street (Tuesday- Saturday 10-3).
The Brick has also donated a trailer, which will be parked at Grant McEwan, located at 104 Avenue between 110 and 112 Streets. Donations will be accepted between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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