2013 Alberta floods

2013 Alberta floods
Ryan L. C. Quan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Location	Alberta, Canada
Date	June 2013
Damages	$1.7 billion CAD

2013 Alberta floods. The 2013 Alberta floods were a series of devastating floods that occurred in Alberta, Canada, particularly in the southern regions, including Calgary, High River, and Canmore. The floods were caused by heavy rainfall and resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses, with the Government of Alberta and City of Calgary playing key roles in the response and relief efforts. The floods also had a significant impact on the TransCanada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway.

● Introduction

The 2013 Alberta floods were one of the most significant natural disasters in Canadian history, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Red Cross providing critical support during the crisis. The floods affected several major cities, including Calgary, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, with the University of Calgary and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology serving as key evacuation centers. The floods also had a significant impact on the Alberta oil sands and the energy industry in Western Canada, with companies such as Suncor Energy and Imperial Oil affected. The Premier of Alberta, Alison Redford, played a key role in coordinating the response efforts, working closely with the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper.

● Causes and Preparation

The 2013 Alberta floods were caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and melting snowpack in the Canadian Rockies, including Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. The Environment Canada and Parks Canada had issued warnings and advisories prior to the floods, but the severity of the event was not fully anticipated, with the National Research Council of Canada and University of Alberta conducting research on the causes and effects of the floods. The City of Calgary and Town of High River had emergency plans in place, but the scale of the disaster was unprecedented, with the Calgary Emergency Management Agency and Alberta Emergency Management Agency playing key roles in the response efforts. The Insurance Bureau of Canada and Canadian Insurance Companies also played a critical role in providing support to affected residents and businesses.

● Flood Event

The flood event began on June 20, 2013, with heavy rainfall in the Canadian Rockies, including Kananaskis Country and Elbow River. The Bow River and Elbow River overflowed their banks, causing widespread flooding in Calgary and surrounding communities, including Bowness and Inglewood. The TransCanada Highway was closed, and the Canadian Pacific Railway suspended operations, with the Via Rail Canada and WestJet also affected. The floods also affected several major landmarks, including the Calgary Zoo and Prince's Island Park, with the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Flames also impacted.

● Impact and Damage

The 2013 Alberta floods resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses, with the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta providing financial support to affected residents and businesses. The floods caused an estimated $1.7 billion CAD in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in Canadian history, with the Insurance Bureau of Canada and Canadian Insurance Companies playing a critical role in providing support. The floods also had a significant impact on the agriculture industry in Alberta, with the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley Commission affected. The University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge also suffered significant damage, with the Alberta Advanced Education and Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education providing support.

● Response and Relief

The response to the 2013 Alberta floods was led by the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Red Cross providing critical support. The Canadian Armed Forces were deployed to assist with evacuation and relief efforts, with the 4 Wing Cold Lake and 17 Wing Winnipeg playing key roles. The United Way of Calgary and Area and Calgary Food Bank also provided critical support to affected residents, with the Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance also involved. The Premier of Alberta, Alison Redford, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, visited the affected areas to assess the damage and provide support.

● Aftermath and Rebuilding

The aftermath of the 2013 Alberta floods saw a significant effort to rebuild and recover, with the Government of Alberta and Government of Canada providing financial support to affected residents and businesses. The City of Calgary and Town of High River implemented new flood mitigation measures, including the construction of new dikes and flood control systems, with the Alberta Environment and Parks and Parks Canada playing key roles. The University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge also undertook significant rebuilding efforts, with the Alberta Advanced Education and Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education providing support. The Calgary Stampede and Calgary Flames also rebounded from the floods, with the Scotiabank Saddledome and McMahon Stadium hosting events and games. The 2013 Alberta floods will be remembered as one of the most significant natural disasters in Canadian history, with the National Research Council of Canada and University of Alberta continuing to study the causes and effects of the floods. Category:2013 floods