Flooding forces evacuations in Calgary; 100,000 may be affected
(Photo: CBC)
CALGARY, Canada -- The city of Calgary issued mandatory evacuation orders for 14 communities after massive flooding across southern Alberta, and the city said up to 100,000 people could be affected, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said Thursday.
Residents were being encouraged to find shelter with family or friends for at least the next 72 hours.
Officials in Calgary have warned residents to brace for flooding worse than that in 2005.
The city held a press conference Thursday after declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of heavy flows from the Elbow and Bow rivers reaching the city.
"The data we have currently would indicate that we will probably see water come over the top of the Glenmore Dam, at a flow rate that probably exceeds that of 2005," said Bruce Burrell, director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency.