Calgary braces for rainfall and riverbank risks on anniversary of 2013 floods
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On the anniversary of the 2013 floods, heavy rainfall event is expected to begin later tonight, dragging on over the weekend.
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While the weather has remained mild through the morning, heavy rain is expected to pick up this evening, continuing on through Saturday and easing up starting on Sunday morning.
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'This would be considered a significant rainfall event,' said Christy Climenhega, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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The most recent event of this scope was in 2022, when a similar system came through southern Alberta. In that case, the precipitation was less uniform, and a drop in alpine temperatures turned much of the expected rainfall into snow.
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This time, officials say the rain is expected to be more widespread and sustained.
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'In an event like this, we're looking at rainfall totals in the area of 100 millimeters over a broad area. That's not something we see every year,' said Frank Frigo, manager of environmental management with the City of Calgary's Climate and Environmental Business unit.
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With that in mind, residents should still look out for locally higher amounts, especially in the foothills.
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The city has been preparing for the weather for days, according to Frigo. Forecasts have been consistent since Sunday, giving them time to lower water levels in key reservoirs along the Bow and Elbow rivers.
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This type of rapid response is necessary in Calgary's river system, which behaves differently from slower-moving floodplains like those in other prairie cities like Winnipeg.
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'These are very changeable, mountain-driven basins. Conditions can swing wildly,' Frigo said, 'We have to be able to turn on a dime.'
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Calgarians should be cautious around riverbanks
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'Calgarians will still see elevated flows, and if anyone is out walking near pathways or recreating near river areas, we do urge caution,' Frigo said.
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'We ask people to stay a little further away during periods like this. The water is colder, more turbid and harder to see through. It's carrying more debris and can cause erosion of the riverbanks that you might not be able to detect from the surface.'
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