Alberta Floods - Good News and Bad News



Photo: National Post



The whole thing has been kind of surreal.  You see these videos online or on the news of a city or town with nothing but waterways because their roads are completely covered.  If the water has receded, like Cougar Creek in Canmore, you see a highway that is utterly impassable.  The Trans-Canada highway - it's kind of a big deal.  But there has been good news. 

For starters, the Canadian Red Cross took in 2.1 million dollars in donations in 48 hours.  That's pretty cool, Canada.  Though we're probably not the only ones who donated and I'm thankful that everyone who did... did.  We've had thousands of volunteers.  Already.  The Sled Island concert was cancelled but bands were invited to private homes; and they showed up.  Twitter was going nuts with party invites.  Restaurants invited those in need for free dinners.  It was something special.

But there has also been bad news.  MACLEANS reported Alberta Health Services shut down two restaurants in Calgary who were offering free lunches on Monday - because the BBQ's did not have appropriate canopy coverage.  Mayor Nenshi had to ask people to stay off the Bow River.  Even though he made the request in a sardonically comical way, it was still bad news.



Highway 1 near Canmore, AB; Photo Courtesy Elliott.C.S



However, there has been more good news.  The Calgary Stampede has a new slogan: Come Hell or High Water.  Volunteers are arriving daily from all over Canada to lend a hand.  Road repair is already underway in Canmore.  Facebook is alive with links to pages that can tell you where to help out and what help is needed. 

It is inspiring to see how many people have come from near and far to lend a hand to people in need.  And those are just the ones who have Facebook and Twitter.  I'm certain there are many other small or large acts of kindness out there with little to no public acknowledgement.  Disasterous events are devastating but they bring people together.  Rebuilding communities brings people closer together and in turn builds stronger communities.  I'm glad to be part of that.