CALGARY- As the recovery from June’s flood continues, the city has created an expert panel to review flood response measures, and determine ways to reduce flood risks in the future.
“Calgary and Calgarians are amazingly resilient, but the floods also demonstrated that we can—and must—do more to manage future flood risks,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Bringing together a panel of experts, including recommendations from Calgarians, will ensure we have the best information available to make good decisions and keep our city protected.”
The panel will be chaired by the former director of Water Resources, and will also include experts from a number of relevant fields. A web site is being set up to collect input and suggestions from citizens.
A number of information meetings will also begin next week, regarding disaster relief and development in flood hazard areas. Details will be available on at calgary.ca/floodrecovery once they are finalized, as well as information regarding the permit process for repairs, building and demolition.
Meetings are also being held for affected residents of Elbow Park. Community leaders say they are concerned about both compensation and long-term mitigation plans.
“People are really keen to hear from our government representatives to make sure this does not happen again, and if it does happen again that the impact is greatly reduced,” says Greg Clark. “We don’t want to muck out our basements again five years from now, and have someone pay for it.”
A meeting was also scheduled for Tuesday night in Mount Royal, where displaced students from Elbow Park will be moved in the fall.
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