Update on State of Local Emergency

The City of Calgary remains in a state of local emergency due to significant flooding.

 

Call 311 for flood-related calls only. Call 911 in case of emergency.

 

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, July 5, the following roadways will be closed for the 2013 Calgary Stampede parade: 

The area between the starting point and Ft. Calgary will also be closed for staging. Calgarians will need to get into downtown before 7 a.m. to avoid major delays. All roadways are expected to re-open by 1 p.m.

 

Currently, The City has not heard from representatives of 49 multi-family properties that have been identified as “not ready for re-occupation”.

 

Starting this afternoon, Safety Codes Officers have started re-inspections on these properties.

 

However, condo board members should not wait for property managers to begin addressing the needs of their building.  Condo boards have the ability to initiate inspections using City inspectors and commencing building remediation on their own.

 

Building inspection requests should be submitted by doing one of the following:

Due to the volume of calls at 311, building inspection requests are encouraged to be submitted through the 311 app or online. All requests received, regardless of how they are submitted, will receive the same priority.

Critical needs for your building include a need for electricity, gas and/or water pumping. If your building does not have power, call the ENMAX trouble line at 403-514-6100 to have your outside power meter turned off before addressing any damage.

Condo boards are reminded that when the electricity is turned back on to their building, it will also turn on any electrical appliances that were left on when evacuation took place. You must take the following steps prior to turning on the main disconnect in your building:

Your building may require natural gas line inspection.  If you smell a natural gas odour, or observe a leaking or exposed gas line, please leave immediately and call 911 or ATCO gas emergency dispatch at 1-800-511-3447.

If there is uncertainty about relights or other natural gas related questions, please contact the ATCO Gas Customer Assistance Centre at 403-310-5678 toll-free (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Citizens can also visit www.atcogas.com for more information.

Inspections by a licensed gas fitter or plumber are mandatory for all appliances that were submerged in water (i.e. furnace, hot water heater, stove). Property owners can find contact information for gas fitters and plumbers online or in the Yellow Pages.

If your building has seepage and/or sewer backup contact 3-1-1 so the water can be removed.

 

The City wants to reduce any delays in building repair.  For most repair work, a permit will not be required. In those instances where a permit and licensed contractor is required, The City has put in steps to expedite the process. A licensed contractor can complete their work and apply for any necessary permits online without delaying repairs.

 

A City Safety Codes Officer will then visit the building to ensure the work meets health, safety and structural requirements.

 

Crews have been working day and night with back-end loaders to pick up debris from around Calgary in the flood-affected areas. If crews have not made it to your location yet you can still take material to the City landfills free of charge. Landfills are open until 9pm nightly July 2-7 to accept material.

 

Once again a reminder that blue cart collection is suspended until further notice so City staff and equipment can assist in clean up and recovery efforts.

For those who may be dealing with the loss or potential loss of their home, you are not alone. Resources and supports are available for you to draw on. For counselling and emotional support services, please contact the Distress Centre’s crisis line at 403-266-4357. Trained volunteers are available to answer your call 24/7.

 

For information on community, health, social services and other agencies who can answer questions in many languages 24 hours a day, please call 211.

 

Please continue to visit Calgary.ca for current information.