It looks as though the worst is over.
While the local state of emergency remains in effect, water levels are subsiding in the South Saskatchewan River and the creek systems. Medicine Hat received only five mm of rain Monday — far less than the 30 mm Environment Canada had at one time been forecasting — and officials do not expect the small amount of precipitation to have any significant impact on the water systems.

“Right now, we are in the recovery and restoration phase,” Medicine Hat Fire Chief Ron Robinson told reporters Tuesday at a press conference for the city’s emergency operations centre. “The weather for the rest of the week looks good, mostly sunny.”

With relief from the rain at last, the focus now switches to getting flood-affected residents back into their homes. Industrial Avenue, Mill Street, and the Balmoral area have been identified as the hardest-hit areas, and task force teams have started assessing homes and businesses in those areas for safety and structural integrity. It is not known how long it will take to get everyone back into their homes, or whether there are homes that will be unsalvageable.

“But certainly (the dry weather) is going to give us time to activate our plan to get back into these areas, clean them up, and make them safe,” Robinson said.
Residents who have been evacuated from their homes are asked to call the flood information line at 403-502-8900 and provide their contact information. The city must have homeowners’ authorization in order to complete the safety inspections.

Until it can be determined there is no longer any danger to citizens, Robinson said the local state of emergency will remain in effect. City parks are still closed, although Echo Dale Regional Park is open. City crews are working to re-open roads, and road update information will be available at www.medicinehat.ca.
Residents are also reminded to stay away from coulees and cliff banks, as they still pose a hazard.
“As drying occurs, slope failures and sloughing will be unpredictable and will occur without warning,” Robinson said.

The Volunteer Centre will remain open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to provide assistance as needed. Emotional and distress support is also available.
Residents can register for disaster recovery assistance by calling 403-502-8900.

Story compliments of Medicine Hat News