As Calgary and large tracts of southern Alberta start the recovery and cleanup from the largest and most expensive natural disaster ever seen in this province, residents in West Central Alberta can be ever so thankful that their communities have been spared the carnage.
Anyone viewing the photos and video of the damage and ruin caused in Calgary, Canmore, High River and elsewhere cannot but help feel great sympathy for the people who have lost their homes, property and businesses – and in a few tragic cases, their very lives.
“The magnitude is just extraordinary. It is stunning,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “I never imagined we could have a flood of this magnitude in this country. Until you really see it in person you don't get a sense (that) this is an incredible event.”
Although flooding of the Red Deer forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents in Sundre and elsewhere in Mountain View and Red Deer counties, the emergency in this region was certainly minor compared to things further south.
As with the floods that hit Alberta hard in 2005, this great flood of 2013 will have many lessons to offer – not the least of which is the absolute proof that preparation for disasters is key to meeting emergency challenges.
For example, taking the lessons learned in 2005, firefighters, EMS personnel, municipal officials in Sundre, Mountain View and Red Deer counties were very quick to set up emergency response centres once the danger became imminent.
Hours before the river peaked in Sundre, for example, the Town of Sundre's emergency operations centre was up and running, bringing together all the various emergency responders and their controllers.
And because of those quick and thorough actions, seniors, schoolchildren, hospital patients and other residents kept out of danger in what could have been a very dangerous situation.
Being prepared for the emergency of 2013 required preparations and training that began eight years ago, immediately after the flood of 2005.
Looking to the future, all stakeholders, and politicians in particular, should know that while natural disasters can be few and far between, that can never been an excuse for ‘cutting corners' when it comes to long-term emergency preparedness.
Albertans will no doubt see their way through this latest natural disaster as they have in the past – and politicians at all levels should know that Albertans will expect them to put aside their differences and work for the community at large.
As in 2005, a very large part of the thanks for bringing the province through this latest natural disaster should and must go to Alberta's brave and tireless emergency responders.
