Feedback to follow homes' demolition

More than a dozen homes in Elbow Park that were damaged in the 2013 floods are now slated for demolition, prompting Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi to seek feedback from area residents on their vision for the community's long-term recovery.

Community members will have the opportunity to meet with the minister and mayor in January to help determine the short-term use of the properties sold to the province as part of the floodway relocation program.

How Calgary fits into parties' promises

As part of the build-up to the upcoming federal election, the City of Calgary has published a new edition of its Cities Matter survey.

Since 2011, Mayor Naheed Nenshi (on behalf of Council and the City) has surveyed candidates and parties during provincial elections to better understand their positions on municipal issues.

CREB®Now delves into some of the issues surrounding Calgary and the responses provided by Canada's major political parties.

New program launches to help Calgary businesses with disaster resiliency

Recent tornado warnings, several thunderstorm watches and the wrath that Mother Nature has been trowing at southern Albertans as of late is reinforcing a new joint initiative from the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce that aims to help local businesses prepare for emergencies and disasters.

This summer, CEMA staff will be visiting local businesses with information about how they can make their businesses more resilient. CEMA will distribute its brochure "Is your business prepared?" with supplemental information from the Chamber.

"Whether it was the floods of 2013, the 'Snowtember' tree event, or the downtown power outage of this past year, it has become clear that all Calgary businesses need to be prepared to be resilient in case of business interruptions or disasters," said Chamber president and CEO Adam Legge.

Premier announces two new mitigation projects while Mayor Nenshi expresses some concerns

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice has given the go-ahead for two flood- mitigation projects to protect High River and Calgary from future flooding.

"The waters receded more than a year ago, but for many Albertans last summer's floods are far from over," he said. "Those directly affected by this disaster have told me they expect their government to act faster to help them feel safe in their communities and get on with their lives."

Storied, flood-damaged park to re-open by end of year

A historical and natural jewel in the city of Calgary, Bowness Park is expected to be once again open to the public by the end of the year.

In the midst of a $12 million redevelopment project, the park was one of the areas hit hardest by June 2013 flooding. Debris lined the canal, a mainstay for winter skating, silt covered the entire park and boulders almost a metre high rolled into roadways and parking lots.

One year after flood waters devastated much of the city of Calgary, a commemoration ceremony was held at the Municipal Building to reflect upon the impact of the event.

On hand were dignitaries such as Leonard Basteen, Elder from the Piikani Nation and Blackfoot Confederation; Dave Hancock, Premier of Alberta; Mayor Naheed Nenshi, MLA Kent Hehr and even a video message from Prime Minister and Laureen Harper.

A lesson for all gardeners following the flooding of June 2013

Caenie's new plant floated away, Laurie lost her large wooden planter and at least one golf course lost all the sand from the bunkers and never got it back. For gardeners and golf courses in the affected areas, the aftermath of the last year's floods is still being dealt with.

When I asked my daughter Chelsie Anderson, who is also a gardener, if there was anything different in her client's yards after last year's floods, she told me about Caenie and Laurie, and was quick to add: "(There are also) lots of dead lawns. The silt was too thick for it to benefit the lawns, so there are lots of dead patches in people's gardens.

Cougar Creek will see more than $25 million in improvements

Transformed from a picturesque mountain town, into a disaster zone, then a construction site, the town of Canmore is nearly back to its old self.

As a result of last year's floods, 130,000 square metres of creek bed and riverbank were destroyed – along with several homes – as water swept rocks, trees and other debris downstream. When the waters finally subsided, damages were estimated at $50 million.

Flood forces zoo officials into quick action; now better prepared

When flood waters started to creep up the banks of St. George's Island last summer, Calgary Zoo officials didn't have an arc to save the animals.

Yet two by two, they still managed to load and relocate 160 animals within just hours of being notified the 100-Year Flood was on its way.

"It was probably about 11 (p.m.) that the Emergency Operations Centre called ... saying they wanted everyone off the island," said Lindsey Galloway, director of marketing, communications and sales with the Calgary Zoo, adding they were told to leave St. George's by 2 a.m.

Mission resident Kourtney Rylands reflects on the year since flood waters ripped her home upside down

On June 20, 2013, Kourtney Rylands became a homeowner for the first time.

Hours later, her condo in Mission would be submerged in more than five feet of water.