Sunday, June 23, 2013

Calgary Flood 2013 - Day 4

Decided to stay home today. Some flood evacuees have been allowed to return to their homes.  The military has started clean up.  I don't need to be in the way.  Also feeling exhausted from all the running around I did the last 3 days. I posted a few more photos to Flickr from the past 3 days, trolled Twitter and Flickr for information about the Central Library, and viewed various flood related videos.

The Library did call me today. Twice. The first call was my boss saying only full-timers would be deployed to branches. She took my email address and said she'd keep me posted. A few hours later I got a recorded call saying pretty much the same thing.

So it appears my mini extension for the Canada Day long weekend is turning into a major vacation.  The challenge will be not to spend any money for a while.  Volunteer Calgary has been sending volunteer requests on Facebook. I'm thinking I might help out with the Sunnyside clean up.

Some Facebook and Twitter postings received today:


Today as the water receded, elephants and giraffes were able to be outside enjoying the sun albeit on soggy ground. However, animal care staff sadly confirmed that in spite of their best efforts to corral our free-roaming peacocks on Thursday night, at least one bird has not survived the flood. While trying to round them up, some birds flew up to rooftops and trees and simply couldn't be corralled. A necropsy will be performed to confirm the bird's cause of death. As well, Dr. Jake Veasey, director of animal care, conservation and research, who has been at the zoo 24/7 since Thursday, advised that the tilapia in the hippo pool and the piranha in South America have not survived due to the sustained lack of power to the island to maintain water quality and appropriate temperatures for these tropical fish. In spite of the loss of the fish and a peacock, we are still counting our blessings that in the face of this natural disaster there have not been greater losses.



Part time Library staff and subs should not report to work tomorrow. If you are full time staff, your manager will contact you tonight.

ALBERTA NON PROFITS - If you have volunteer needs, unfortunately our database is down due to power shut off to our office. However, we are compiling a list of volunteer opportunities for the Calgary Community who realy want to help. Please email me at: kimmy.indie@gmail.com with the name of your organization, how many volunteers you need, and the contact info that volunteers can reach you. Hopefully our volunteer database will be up soon!
Volunteer Calgary
A message of thanks to Calgarians from our member organization the Calgary Humane Society.

As we move into the night of Day 4 of the YYC Flood we want to take a moment to thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts. This city’s generosity is astounding and is the reason we are going to get through this adversity.

Today, a convoy of CHS vehicles headed down to High River with donations for the displaced animals. They were so amazed that we had so much to give. And we were able to give because of you. So, thank-you Calgary. Take a minute to pat yourselves on your back.

A HUGE thank-you to all the volunteers we called on and those that offered their help. We could have not stayed in such a pro-active position without you! (We even kept our critters in Adoptions stress-free through the situation given the outpouring of supportive hands)

And to the CHS staff – WOW! What a dedicated team. Your hard work these past couple of days has inspiring! You have been able to smile during your longs days and the animals are better for it!

We will continue with updates in the morning. Thank-you!

Bike Calgary
We've started a map to help people get around by bike (and on foot). Please add any info you have.

HighKicks
I can barely speak, have no home, but we're gonna do fuzz rock on an insanely grand bill at the commonwealth today/tonight. HKs at 6:15. Lets fucken party!
As people return home and start the clean-up, I have a few more updates to share (it's longer, but should be the last one this weekend).

Late this afternoon, we announced that most of Downtown Commercial Core is reopening for property managers to check through their buildings with access to the general public hopefully occuring soon. This is earlier than we had expected and is very good news. Please check calgary.ca and the re-entry maps for the specific areas in downtown that will opening up and pockets that remain closed until power is restored.

We are still asking employers to bring in essential staff for their operations and keep as many employees working from other locations if possible. Please be aware that the LRT is still not operational through downtown and not all of the parking lots - particularly underground lots - will be fully open. Much of the eastern half of The Beltline (south of the tracks and north of 17th Avenue) remains without power and is still under the evacuation order, but restoring this area is a high priority.

Citizens who have been allowed to return to their homes are reminded to first visit the re-entry centre in their community for further instructions. Also please take note that some areas of Sunnyside, Bowness and Elbow Park are affected by sanitary sewer issues.

Details about these items, as well as important information about Waste & Recycling, and parking availability downtown can be found at calgary.ca City News Blog, including raw footage of my briefing from 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

Earlier I mentioned we would have more information on how citizens can help by volunteering in the recovery. We’re still doing a bit more work on coordinating that effort, so please stay tuned - we will need your help!
http://www.calgarycitynews.com/
So the show's going to happen is it? Thousands of people will be needed to clean up, repair and rebuild the grounds in time and up to health standards. Shouldn't the people who have nowhere to live be a priority over the Stampede?


We have some updates for you regarding Calgary Public Library locations reopening:

Memorial Park and the Central Library will remain closed until power to downtown is restored. All other branches, except Village Square and Shawnessy will be open Monday, June 24th, with normal hours, but limited services. The Village Square and Shawnessy locations are being used as evacuation centres and are currently only open for these evacuees.

Our data centre is currently without power, so our IT services including public access to internet, catalogue access, and telephone services will be unavailable when we open on Monday. We will be signing items out manually until our IT systems are restored. You will be limited to borrowing ten items at a time, and we will be unable to process new card registrations.

Please keep your Library materials at home until we are able to process them. We will advise you when we are ready for you to begin returning items you have borrowed.

There will be no fines and fees charged for late materials and those damaged by flooding as of June 20th.

Hold pickup dates will be extended and holds that have arrived will still be waiting for you when we reopen.

We will continue to post updates here as we have them.


have a truck and want to help? @calgarydropin needs a few ppl to do deliveries 40360677422 if you can help #yychelps #yyc

Bridgeland Children's Cottage needs help. Show up and bring a shovel. Emergency nursery needs to reopen! #yycflood #Bridgeland
Foothills Fire Department
Everybody please know that we understand your concern about your pets! I personally spoke to a firefighter that is going door to door looking for gas emergencies and is taking the time to feed and water the pets that he finds.  [Foothills Fire Department is in the High River area]

#yyc Siksika nation needs our help! Our office is open from 1-3pm to collect donations. #yycflood #yychelps #ableg #wrp Items needed are:

Men's and women's shoes (all sizes) used are okay

Men's/women's socks/underwear - new

Diapers size 4-6

Bug repellent

Games/entertainment for children

#328 22 Midlake Blvd SE Calgary
The Owl Report's photo.
This image has been shared over 3000 times now. We originally posted it almost 24 hours ago, with our comments about lack of media coverage. At that time the statement was accurate.
Mayor Nenshi tweeted last night if any artists or buskers want to entertain folks in the reception centers, please call 403-531-7413 to register!


Alpha House Shelter clients are in need of towels, basic toiletries, socks and underwear (mens & womens). The Village Square Leisure is the temporary drop off location


Hillhurst Sunnyside is gathering names for the clean up. Contact quentin@hillhurstsunnyside.org to register. #yycflood

And the best find of the day...



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