City urges Calgarians to be prepared in advance of flood season

Flood ravaged neighbourhoods and affected residents continue to keep a nervous eye on the Bow.

In a little over a month Calgary’s rainy season could determine if the river will once again spill its banks.

Wheatland County west of the city has issued a high water level alert.

Already this year Southern Alberta is seeing flooding in Airdrie, Rockyview County and Siksika Nation while an advisory has been put in place for the Kneehill County area northeast of the city.

Here in Calgary, Mayor Naheed Nenshi is urging residents to be prepared in the event of flooding.

Several plans are already underway in hopes of mitigating any potential damage.

Staff from within the city’s water department have been busy looking at modelling to determine how this might impact things like flow.

For example, the city has purchased almost three times as much new inflatable berms that have a larger diameter; they’ve also worked at making sure the outflow gates are working better in Sunnyside.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says important to keep in mind last year was a 1 in 100 year event.

“That said, it’s important for us to be ready and the kinds of things that we’re suggesting homeowners do, especially in the flood fringe and flood plain areas are things that we have always suggested,” he says.

On Monday, the city will roll out a website with a series of information to keep people prepared, which will include videos and emails.