It isn’t the situation that defines us; it’s our reactions that make a mark in the history books. This week the Bow Valley not only saw its biggest natural disaster, it saw how these communities’ spirits cannot be washed away like runoff on an alluvial fan.
In the bigger picture we all know there are communities downstream from us that had it worse, but that cannot diminish what just happened to us all. The intensity of the situation will have lasting effects and this is the start of a very long road to recovery. There is physical recovery like re-establishing transportation corridors to the east and west of the valley. There is community recovery of parts of Canmore and Exshaw washed away by relentless creek flows. The rebuilding of homes is still uncertain and the emotional toll this has taken on those most affected may take years to get back to normal.
As a valley, we have supported each other through this and proven our communities can handle adversity with grace and patience.
Emergency crews and municipal staff in Canmore and Exshaw went days without sleep, working around the clock to ensure emergency operations happened in an organized fashion. Evacuated homes in Cougar Creek had families and friends to stay with throughout the community; we held together with strength and waited for the storm to end.
Then we got to work. Our residents have not only shown up to help, they have taken volunteer efforts to a whole new level in order to assist everyone affected in various neighbourhoods deal with the aftermath – and that means so much at a time like this. Posters going up around town say “Stay strong – Canmore on” and it really strikes a chord with how the town is feeling. We have gone past friendship and through adversity reached camaraderie.
It is together we will get through this, and it is together that through the worst of Thursday and Friday we held strong.
Canmore nailed it when it came to emergency response. The heroes are many, the foundation of the community solid with all resources possible being thrown at Cougar Creek as it raged out of control.
Exshaw had the worst of it in the valley and they held together, which is always how Exshaw stays strong. They are still in a precarious situation with evacuated residents and limited access.
Banff was all over that river when it began to rise to protect important infrastructure. Residents put their backs into it, filling and moving sandbags into place. Rescue workers with Parks Canada and Kananaskis Emergency Services went out to the backcountry and got people to safety.
The military showed up and helped where needed without confusion — just seamless operations and recovery efforts.
Our valley has changed forever and the floodwaters may have been unstoppable at the height of the crisis, but the community spirit in Banff, Canmore and the MD of Bighorn is unbeatable.
When we look back at what has happened, it won’t be the destruction we remark on, it will be the strength that we had together that will stand the test of time.
