Editor:
On behalf of our business and three generations of our family impacted by the flood of 2013, I want to thank the Town of Canmore, mayor and council, RCMP, emergency service personnel, volunteers, Mountain FM, hotels of Canmore and our military forces for the handling of what will be ‘The Flood of the Century.’ Thank you all for keeping the residents of our community safe.
We were evacuated from East Cougar Creek on Thursday (June 20).
We had multiple offers from friends to stay with them when they heard of our plight. Due to the advice of Shannon from Alpine Insurance we secured a hotel room early on. Thanks Shannon!
Sally Caudill from the Town of Canmore, Rob Murray and his co-hosts from Mountain FM did a tremendous job of keeping our community informed. The Town of Canmore website and the radio were our lifeline of information. The management and staff of Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge were so accommodating and provided a safe harbor for us during this storm.
Although we are home now, we are deeply saddened by those who can’t return to their homes who live on Cougar Creek. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
As we surveyed the devastation for the first time since being evacuated we spoke with a visitor from California. She has survived tsunamis, floods and fires. She encouraged us to “hang loose” while we were waiting to hear when we could go home.
She talked about the beauty of Canmore and was amazed that our trees were so tall and skinny. She is used to the Redwoods of California. She wondered how our trees can withstand the winds. Although they don’t always withstand the winds, the trees on the outside are stronger and protect the trees on the inside. She reminded me of those outside trees. She has withstood many natural disasters over her lifetime. Her positive outlook inspired and encouraged me.
We are thankful for the Town’s preparedness in this emergency. We are grateful to be part of a community who continues to care deeply for one another by going above and beyond to help out those in need.
Thank you Canmore for being a community that cares.
Pam Hilstad,
Canmore
