Calgary remembers 2013 floods, anxiety that came with it

Recent heavy rain in Calgary around the anniversary of the 2013 floods brought anxieties back into the forefront of many minds.

“I saw a hopeless, helpless heart broken situation,” said Brian Wong, executive director, Calgary Chinatown Business Improvement Area.

Calgary’s Chinatown was hit hard by the flood and Wong volunteered with the Chinese Merchants Association to help flood relief efforts in the neighbourhood.

“Déjà vu, that’s what I felt right away, but what I know between now and then, the main difference has been people are more prepared. There are a lot more tools a lot more resources that they know that they understand more how to deal with this,” said Wong.

Wong says the outpouring of community support after the flood was amazing, many Calgarians rolled up their sleeves and helped.

READ MORE:

• Calgary lifts State of Local Emergency for a possible flood

• Calgarians prepare for storm season hoping to avoid repeat of costly 2020 hail

• 9 years since Calgary flood evacuations

Stephen Walker, counsellor, Calgary Counselling Centre says “one of the things that a person can do if they’re feeling a lot of sort of angst or stress or worry around the river levels or just a lot of the rain in June is relaxation techniques. As counsellors, we sometimes refer to these as grounding techniques.”

Walker says the techniques can include deep breathing or relaxing exercise.

“You know ‘if the river flooded again, who could I stay with?’ ‘Do I know my insurance company’s phone number?’ Or ‘have I got my most precious valuables out the basement?’ Again, even if these strategies or steps aren’t needed, the mere presence of the plan and thinking about what choices I do possess can sort of address some of the worry,” said Walker.

People who lost a home to flood damage may feel grief during flood anniversary time, and Walker says talking about it can be helpful.