LukeyRobertson in High River

[GMan]

I am glad to hear about his safety, yet I am very deeply concerned for the damage that has been done throughout these disasters.

[Liam]

What a weekend here in Southern Alberta. Our house and those of our children in Calgary and Lethbridge are fine, but we "had" a cottage at a place called Hidden Valley Golf Resort, down stream of Calgary on the Siksika Nation.
Everything there has been devastated.

http://gogreygirl.wordpress.com/2013...o-golf-course/

[lukeyrobertson]

Dear Xmarks friends,
First, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, good thoughts, and well wishes. My family and I are safe, including my wife's parents who evacuated with me and my boys. My wife was trapped by the waters and spent the night in our church. She was able to make her way to rescue the following morning and later be evacuated to the evac center in Nanton--a small town just south of High River. We were reunited 24hrs later. The situation is grim. Red Cross volunteers are making parallel comparisons to a level of destruction experienced by Katrina (same devastation, just a smaller scale). All 13,000 of my town's people were evacuated... some by boat, some by helicopter, some by combine, others by large manure spreaders, front end loaders and military vehicles. We were allowed back to our home, on day 15. Our basement is gone just like 100's of other homes. There are still homes underwater and of course that is worrisome. We fear those homes will be lost. Many downtown businesses were obliterated and many homes were washed off their foundations. Our lawns are filled with heaps of torn-out basement debris. The air is dank with musty and other unpleasant odours... much better today, though.

I remain ever so grateful for volunteers that worked tirelessly at our church to muck it out, strip dry-wall and prepare it for drying out. Many of these volunteers came from the Mormon Helping Hands organization. They also came to my house on Friday and Saturday and worked with friends and neighbours to clear our basement right down to concrete and studs. This made it possible for my wife and sons to attend the Canadian Scout Jamboree this week. I have stayed back to assist with getting our home operational. We now have water, power, and limited sewer... no phone, no hot water, no fridge, freezer, washer/dryer, no furnace.

Tomorrow, I will work at hauling out the remaining bits of dry-wall, and bathroom fixtures.

And the answer to question you have all been asking.... I have all my kilts with me in Calgary and they seem to be fine.

I thank you all for your well wishes for the wider region of Southern Alberta. At one point there were close to 100,000 people under mandatory evacuation. We remain thankful and deep appreciative of all the local authorities, first responders, EMS, technicians, professionals and the many countless volunteers who continue to provide support. The whole thing has been hair-raising with unprecedented water levels never seen before. The clean up has begun, but it will be months before we are fully functioning as a town. At present, there are over 350 people who are unable to be home or who are homeless. Yet, the spirit in the air is one of goodwill, thanksgiving and commitment to re-establishing our community. We are a resilient bunch.

Sincerely, David along with my wife and family.

[English Bloke]

I'm glad you're all OK David. I would imagine that picking up the pieces is difficult though. I had the good fortune to work for a year at CFB Suffield near Medicine Hat in the 90's as part of the BATUS setup. It's a truly beautiful part of the world you live in. I wish you all future safety and safe haven. Take good care.

[MacRobert's Reply]

We are so glad that you and your family are safe and well David. You are all in our prayers and of the Priory Church in South Queensferry.

[StevieR]

Hi David,

So glad to hear that you and your family are safe. I can only imagine the impact that this terrible event has had on your lives and so pass on my sincerest good wishes to you and yours for the speediest return to normality.

Take care.

[TJ Kelley]

Good news all are safe, now the cleanup will be a chore... good luck.

This year has been a strange one. I grew up on the Mississippi river.
While my home town is safe, due to building a wonderful levee in the 70's.
Many river cities refuse to give up there river views and are continually flooded.

My folks own a cabin "on stilts", they have yet been able to enjoy it due to 3-4' of water under that will not subside.
I just hope they get a chance to relax before August.