Weather or not

We've had some odd weather lately. By lately I mean over the last couple of years. Something is certainly shifting on our planet. It began with the flood of 2013, followed by an extreme cold winter. The summer of 2014 brought a lot of wind, followed by a snow storm in September. The winter has been fairly mild, but spring is here once again and... who knows what that will all bring.

It was a Thursday in June, 2013, it was raining... again... families were headed out to the soccer field. We were no exception. Amy had a game scheduled and we were getting ready. The news began reporting of low lying areas being evacuated, including parts of downtown. We went to take a look...

The rain came down and the water kept on rising...

Seems like everything began happening at once. We realized the futility of going to soccer, the policeman came to the door to let us know we were expected to evacuate, and we were beginning to move things to the main floor from the basement. We packed a bag and headed out the door.
Rob decided he would rather wait it out at home and be ready to pump water if it should happen to flow in. He went back home while the kids and I stayed with family. Rob ended up watching the banks of the Bow most of the night, together with many neighbours who were also staying put. He did have the truck in case he needed to make a wet get-a-way.

Before too long the little island was completely under water.

The pathway under the train bridge was covered. 

Right up to the top of the railing.

We kept watch as the alien head painting was submerged.

Eventually the railing gave way.

I'm not sure when the river crested, I think sometime on Friday. We were spared! Our friends and neighbours just down the road, not so fortunate. Downtown Bowness was covered in water. People were canoeing in the streets. Our Bowness Park was under water. Devestation all around.

  

The bank was eaten away.

The river contuned to flow with terrific force.

As the sun came out the people began to return to their homes to assess. The city had declared a state of emergency. The zoo had to relocate many animals. Much of downtown was underwater. Parts of communities completely lost.  Bowness was no exception. We checked out our Bowness Park...

We checked out our neighbourhood...

Road hazards

Temporary burms

Mud

Water

Canoes

This parking lot even had a fish swimmming in a pool of water.

Police kept watch, but people were curious.

And then came the clean up. Neighbours organized themselves into groups. We began walking down the street - no matter where you walked in the flood zone, the help was needed and welcomed. Those who had been hit by the raging water, the mud and sludge needed to empty their homes. Water logged basement items, treasures, a lifetime of collections in some cases. Such saddness, but such grace and generosity in the midst of chaos.

Streets were clogged with vehicles, dump bins, plumbers, helpers, food servers, you name it. 

At first, mud and water was every where. But as the sun came out and the plumbers arrived on scene water was being pumped out of homes and driveways were slowly poking through.

Since everything in the city was shut down, Rob spent a few days helping. Literally laying a lifetime of memories at the curb.

Eventually tearing out walls, and too many times, demolishing entire homes to start from scratch.

Our friends lost their home and entire contents. Although some families were able to rebuild rather quickly, our firends are desperatly hoping to move into their rebuild by the two year anniversary, June 2015.