For the first time ever our community experienced an extraordinary weather event that resulted in widespread flooding of homes and businesses.
Over a one hour period we had approximately 4 1/2″ of water pound our infrastructure while at the same time we experienced a power failure that knocked out sump pumps trying desperately to keep up with the deluge. That power failure lasted for a long time and put more and more people at risk for sewer backups too.
During this flood and then the hail storm that followed two days later, gardens and tress were shredded resulting in clogged up storm drains. Neighbours and friends bailed out basements, struggling to help those in need. Chestermerians saw a need to support one another and stepped up to the challenge. It makes me so proud of you all and to be your Mayor.
However we also had many people from outside of our community who selflessly came to offer their assistance. Our MLA, Leela Aheer, spent hours clearing out flooded basements. Companies like Road Runner Recycling responded go dire calls for services and then in a heartwarming move refused to accept any payment for those services. Groups like the Christian Mission and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints contacted Synergy to offer citizen groups to those in need. The Knights of Columbus rallied their troops and fed many hungry tired people.
The City of Airdrie, town of Okotoks and Strathmore of feed to help us with manpower and equipment. The City of Calgary sent us street sweepers and hose to drain storm ponds. They also deeply discounted garbage rates for flood affected materials and sent through inspectors out to help do home inspections.
I know there are so many others that I haven’t mentioned here and we want to make sure that they’re all thanked. We also want to celebrate the extraordinary stories of kindness shown to our community so please post them on our Facebook page or send them to flood@chestermere.ca for all to see.
Thank you Chestermere for being such a great community and supporting each other when we needed it most! If you have any questions about the flood or follow up to it please contact us at 4032077050.
Sincerely
Mayor Matthews
