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When monitoring the weather, you may hear about a watch or a warning.

A watch means that conditions indicate the occurrence of a certain type of hazardous weather. You should continue to monitor weather conditions through a local media station and website and take appropriate precautions. A warning means that a hazardous event is occurring or imminent in 30 minutes to an hour. You should seek appropriate shelter and continue to monitor conditions.

Q. I see some work being done in some affected areas, but not others. Why?

Q. I dont live in a floodplain or a flood fringe. Why should I care about flooding?

The City has assessed and prioritized erosion sites along the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Six sites are extremely vulnerable to future erosion and could cause severe damage to City infrastructure if no permanent stabilization is implemented before the 2014 flood season. These are: 8 Avenue at 22 Street S.E. (Inglewood) Home Road and 52 Street N.W. Memorial Drive and 3 Street N.W. Diamond Cove (S.E.) Douglasdale downstream of the ENMAX power substation Memorial Drive at 19 Street N.W.

Flooding is not restricted to properties in a floodplain or fringe, or certain times of the year. Any property in any neighbourhood at any time of the year can experience flooding. There are several types of flooding: Basement seepage: This occurs when the level of ground saturation causes the underground water table (the depth at which soil spaces or fractures in rock become completely saturated) to rise. Water seeps through the ground and eventually reaches the foundation of the home. The water enters your basement through cracks and holes in the homes foundation. Wastewater backup: Overloaded wastewater pipes in the neighbourhood can force wastewater back through the infrastructure and into the basement. Stormwater backup: The Citys stormwater system flows into the Bow and Elbow Rivers through large pipes. When the rivers rise, river water can flow back into the stormwater pipe system. Water may spill back onto streets through stormwater drains. This can lead to both sewage backup and overland flooding. Overland flooding: Water overflows the banks of rivers and streams. Low spots are initially filled with water; as water levels rise, residences, especially underground structures like parkades and basements, are susceptible to flooding. In the winter, frozen catch basins, storm drains and piled snow, in combination with rapid thawing or rainfall, can also cause overland flooding.

Flooding: Frequently Asked Questions

It is anticipated that construction at all six sites will be completed prior to the 2014 flood season. Other sites are categorized as high priority or moderate priority. The 27 high priority sites are anticipated to be addressed either temporarily or permanently prior to the 2014 flood season. The 21 moderate priority sites are structurally able to withstand another flood season and are scheduled to be repaired in 2015. Another 20 low priority sites are being monitored as they may self-heal over time and do not require immediate attention.
Q. Other than repairing eroded sites, what is The City doing to mitigate flooding?

The City of Calgarys Water Resources is conducting several studies related to hydrology, meteorology, barrier design, hydraulic analysis, river flood flows, river ice, erosion, fish habitat, storm water management, forecasting, sanitary lift stations, waste water treatment, storage and diversion, land use planning, and storm gates and water outfalls, among others. This is in addition to studies that other agencies and levels of government are also conducting. The City and the Province are also working in partnership to develop new river models and mapping. While this is currently underway, with the significant changes to the river channels, the mapping will not be completed prior to the 2014 flood season. We do not anticipate increased risk of flooding or changes in the areas that previously experienced flooding. Although dredging of the rivers has been suggested as a way to increase flow capacity, it is not an option currently being considered. Dredging is, at best, a temporary solution that would not significantly increase water flow capacity or mitigate flood damage. Riverbeds are constantly being altered naturally as a result of the force of the water current moving sediment and gravel. Dredging also has significant ecological and environmental impacts to fish habitats.
Q. There has been a significant amount of snow this winter. Does that mean we are at higher risk for flooding in the spring?

There are steps every homeowner should take, regardless of whether or not they live on a floodplain or fringe. mprove water drainage: make sure your yard and gardens slope away I from your home onto grassy areas in the front or back yard not toward a neighbours yard.  ont connect eavestrough extensions to the sanitary sewer line or D weeping tile. Excessive water could overload the pipes capacity and cause flooding.  nsure your eavestroughs are free of debris, which can cause water E to overflow the trough and run down the side of your house into your basement.  ownspouts should lead away from your home onto a grassy area so D that the water soaks into the ground. Dont overwater your lawn. A healthy lawn needs only 1 of water a week from all sources, including watering with a sprinkler or system and natural rainfall. Make sure that you check your underground watering system for leaks, and drain it every fall to prevent damage from freezing. f you have a drain gutter (also called a swale) in your backyard, keep I it clear of debris. The gutter drains water from the backyards on your block to the street. Report plugged storm drains. You can do so by calling 3-1-1. 

For more information, please visit:

calgary.ca/flooding calgary.ca/cema information on preparedness emergencyalert.alberta.ca emergency alerts and notifications facebook.com/thecityofcalgary

Onward/ By 2020 more than 86% of citizens will report that Calgary is a safe city in which to live.

While the snowfall in Calgary has been significant this winter, the snowpack in the mountains is considered to be normal as of mid-February 2014. There are other factors in addition to snowpack that contribute to flood risk. These are ground saturation and the amount of rainfall.

calgary.ca | contact 311

FAQs
Q. What is The City of Calgary doing to prevent future flooding?

rainfall in the days leading up to June 20; the ground had already been saturated by rainfall in May, lessening the absorption of additional moisture; and the weather system that caused the rains was centred in the mountains, where the rain melted the snowpack quickly, adding to the overall volume of water. The Bow and Elbow Rivers are prone to flash flooding. Each river has a different flow rate and is managed, to a certain degree, through reservoirs and dams. The topography of the land, the paths of the rivers, and the proximity of infrastructure to them vary. Therefore, a 1:100 year potential on the Bow River is significantly different than a 1:100 year flood potential on the Elbow River. A rapid rise in temperature, such as from a Chinook, along with heavy precipitation can cause snowpack to melt quickly which could cause flooding conditions.
Q. Why didnt I get more warning about the flood? I had less than one hour to get out of my home.

Citizens can do their part when there is a potential emergency.  onitor local media stations (television, radio, and online) for updates M on the situation. In June 2013 media partners were extremely responsive in providing information to citizens.  isten for Alberta Emergency Alerts. Emergency alerts interrupt local L broadcasting on television and radio stations with information about the emergency. Citizens can also sign up online to receive notifications to their smart phones, Facebook or Twitter accounts. See emergencyalert.alberta.ca for more information.  onitor social media. Follow The City of Calgary on Twitter M and Facebook.  heck weather conditions. When warnings or watches are in place C be prepared for severe weather and the possibility of flooding. This is especially important for residents who live on floodplains or fringes during the period May 15 to July 15, when Calgary typically receives the most rainfall and snowmelt.  itizens with elderly or disabled neighbours should check on them and C see if they need assistance.

Store irreplaceable items on the highest level of your home.  nstall a back-flow prevention device on your wastewater pipe. I This will help prevent wastewater and stormwater from entering your basement. These devices can be installed by a qualified plumber. f you have a sump pump, ensure it has a back-up power supply. I In an emergency flooding situation, power may be turned off to protect electrical infrastructure. Electrical infrastructure may be able to be repaired much more quickly if it is shut off and dried out rather than left to run and sustain additional damage.  ave materials on hand to protect your property. Homeowners H who choose to sandbag their properties to help protect them can get sandbags from a home building supply or landscaping company. Remember that you may not have time to sandbag your property. Citizens can choose to purchase pre-made sandbags and store them on their property.  eview your homeowners insurance policy and ensure you R understand your coverage for all types of flooding events.

The Citys focus is on public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure that serves the entire city of Calgary. This includes structures such as electrical substations, water treatment facilities, communications infrastructure (cell phone towers, etc.), and public transportation. Short and long-term mitigation efforts are underway to help protect against future flooding. Long-term measures being explored include projects such as upstream dams or reservoirs, diversion channels, among other methods. These are complex projects that require the cooperation and coordination of multiple agencies and levels of government, as well as completing environmental assessments, and securing funding. The timeframe for these projects is not for the 2014 flood season; an estimated timeframe is two to five years. A variety of shorter-term mitigation efforts are underway or being examined. These include flood barriers, walls and berms, riverbank stabilization and erosion protection, bridge replacements and improvements, groundwater cut-off structures, gravel bar shaping, storm drainage improvements, sanitary lift station upgrades, sewage treatment plant upgrades, and river clean up and debris removal. Calgary is built along two rivers, the Bow and the Elbow Rivers that have flooded in the past and will again in the future. The Citys emergency management efforts are focused on preparedness and response, rather than prevention. It is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of flooding.
Q. I live on a floodplain or flood fringe within Calgary. What should I know about flooding?

The Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and its partners, such as Environment Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) continually monitor conditions such as snowpack levels, weather systems, river flow rates and ground saturation. Calgarys proximity to the Rocky Mountains results in conditions changing very rapidly, especially in the spring, and weather forecasting is challenging for this reason. For example, satellite imagery can show approaching weather systems. However, weather forecasters generally have difficulty predicting how those weather systems will behave once they encounter the climatic conditions surrounding the mountains. In some cases, like the flood in June 2013, the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) received notification early Thursday morning (June 20) of rapidly rising river levels and increased flow rates. The rainon-snow combined with the steep terrain of the watersheds resulted in a large amount of water entering the river systems. Notifications were sent out to media and the public advising of the potentially dangerous and impending flood conditions. Conditions changed rapidly. Notifications to expand the evacuation areas were updated and distributed to the media and the public. While it is preferable to make sure people are out of harms way by evacuating them, evacuation also has consequences for both citizens and those who provide services to evacuees. Evacuations are never undertaken lightly.
Q. What can be done to increase warning time?

The City works continually with other stakeholders and levels of government to improve warning times. This includes ongoing consultation with organizations like TransAlta and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD), as well as work to make river sensors stronger and adding more river cameras. However, the conditions that can lead to flooding are difficult to predict as mentioned previously and do not provide much advance warning.
Q. I experienced flooding in the 2013 June Flood in Calgary. What can I do to protect my home for next time?

Q. Why doesnt The City provide materials for homeowners to protect their property?

The Citys priority in an emergency is to first save lives and prevent injuries. The second priority is protection of critical infrastructure. If critical infrastructure is not protected, structures like water treatment facilities, electrical systems and road networks could sustain damage that would prevent the return to normalcy for all of Calgary. The Citys goals of recovery would be severely compromised from both a time and a financial perspective. We encourage neighbours to work together to develop a common approach to flood mitigation. Mitigation strategies are more effective if undertaken on a block or street basis. Without a common approach, residents may be inadvertently affecting their neighbours properties during a flood event. With hundreds or thousands of private residences located on a floodplain or fringe susceptible to flooding, it is simply not feasible for The City to provide sandbags or other materials, especially in an emergency when time is short. In other cities where flooding is a more common occurrence, those municipalities may have taken a different approach to preparation.

While it is impossible to completely flood-proof a home, there are steps homeowners can take to mitigate potential damage. Often damage is caused by basement seepage. This can occur when the ground is completely saturated and water moves into homes through basements. Overland flooding is less common but is more likely to occur in floodplains and flood fringe areas. Sewer and stormwater backup can occur in any community, not only in the homes on the floodplain or flood fringe.  onsider floor surfaces like concrete and tile which are cleaned much C more easily than carpet and hardwood, which should be thrown out if contaminated by flood water.  elocate appliances like electrical panels, furnaces and hot water R heaters to a higher floor, or if that is not feasible, raise them off the floor as much as possible.

If you live on a floodplain or in the flood fringe you should be aware of the potential for flooding. Not all events will be as large as the one experienced in 2013. The 2013 flood was considered a 1:100 year flood, which means that the chance of a flood of that magnitude occurring again is one per cent in any given year. Although flooding can occur at any time of the year, the period between May 15 and July 15 is when Calgary typically receives the largest amount of rainfall and highest rate of snowmelt. Calgarians, especially those who live on floodplains or fringes, should pay particular attention to weather warnings and conditions during that period. Calgary is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The mountains greatly influence our weather patterns. The same characteristics that give us drier conditions also can cause weather systems to stall over the mountains; something that occurred in June 2013. The three factors which most influence flooding are rainfall, ground saturation and snowpack. In June 2013, southern Alberta saw a perfect storm where all three factors combined: the mountains, watersheds, the foothills and the city of Calgary experienced heavy

The Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) uses a variety of methods to communicate about an emergency. Despite the use of traditional and social media communication tools during the flood, some people remained unaware of the emergency situation and of subsequent evacuation orders in June 2013. As such, it is imperative that citizens take the necessary steps to be informed. There is no single solution for community notification; however, CEMA and its City partners continue to research and use all feasible options.

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