The floods that covered the foothills on June 20 have left a trail of devastation across the region, forcing thousands from their homes, destroying roads and bridges and devastating the Town of High River.
Tremendous efforts were made to evacuate more than 10,000 people in High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and throughout the foothills on what can best described as organized chaos. The evacuees are safe, have a roof over their heads and have been comforted by volunteers at evacuation centres or by friends and family in the area.
Now the hard part begins. Once evacuees are allowed back into High River, it will take time to rebuild this jewel along the Highwood River.
The Province has already kicked in $1 billion to help flooded communities in Alberta. Families and residents will receive help for day-to-day expenses with pre-loaded debit cards from the provincial government. The cards, loaded with $1,250 per adult and $500 per child, will help with initial costs, but more will likely be needed to help communities devastated by flooding.
However, what is most needed is for the collective heart of High River — the home of Heartland — to beat as one is to help one another out.
Now is the time to put aside divisive arguments among the 13,000 residents of High River.
As evacuees continue to wait to get into High River as of Tuesday, residents’ tempers are rising as there is no word yet as to when they will see the damage at their homes.
Their frustration is understandable as their homes, businesses and their dreams may still be sitting under dirty water.
However, now is the time to put aside outrage at town council, emergency officials and people who did not evacuate and work to rebuild the community.
There is little doubt the emergency personnel, town officials, fire departments and police are doing all they can to safely get people back as soon as possible. But this is flooding which has not been seen before.
High River is a good community – it’s strength is its people, who have shown in the past they can get through floods and troubled times, and come back stronger than ever.
It will be a long process and a long haul to rebuild not only High River but other communities affected in the foothills. The first step is for residents to put aside their differences and row as one through these troubled waters.
