Monday, July 8, 2013

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS....LITERALLY

Oh my goodness have things been crazy around here
I sooo apologize for not visiting much lately
SUMMER BUSY'NESS.....like probably most of you
 
But I'm going to throw this post together
and show you THE BIG FLOOD IN CALGARY ALBERTA
and surrounding areas
 
 
SO SAD !!!
 
and just a few weeks later everything had to be ready
for the GREATEST OUTDOOR SHOW ON EARTH
the Calgary Stampede
 
(FYI....point of interest, the Stampede parade is second in size only to the Rose Bowl Parade)
 
Here are some photos of the Stampede grounds DURING the flood
 
the rodeo grounds
 
the Saddle Dome
originally built for when Calgary hosted the Olympics
 
the water went up to the 10th row
all the concerts planned for the Stampede
had to be canceled
 
washed out bridges and roads all over the place
 
the town of High River...just south of Calgary
 
SO MANY PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES
a friend of mine has a son who lives there
and she said he called her in a panic saying they were evacuating
as he gathered up his two little children
 and by then the water was up past his waist
 
They lost everything, but in their favor, they were renting

THE ZOO was also hit hard
YES !!!! they had to frantically move as many animals
as was possible
MOVE THEM I SAY
and for the rest of this summer the zoo will be closed
also had to lay off more then 200 workers

again, SO SAD

 
 
 I could show you many MANY more photos, but you get the idea
disaster

and as always during a disaster it brings out the BEST
and the WORST of people

I saw on the news (don't have photo) of a store in Calgary
who was charging $20 for a bag of ICE
guess the idea of charity didn't cross their mind

then you get good souls who do this


There have been thousands and thousands of volunteers
working together, showing love and support
and HELP

So now as everyone tries to get things back in order
and for some, sadly, it will take a LONG time
my heart just breaks for them

CALGARY STRONG
as they are saying

and NOW
the Stampede is up and running
and here is what they were trying to get the grounds
to look like.....as they once were


So grateful for loving caring people who volunteer
their time, resources and yes money

and that.....is how it's been in my neck of the woods
(Calgary is an hour's drive south of us)

this is NOT a news report, so I may not be 100% accurate in all the details
just how I remember it