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Thursday, June 24, 2010 — THE MEDICINE HAT NEWS Maple Creek fl ooded out
MARCIA LOVE Maple Creek News
Maple Creek residents prepared for the worst as a torrent of water made its way through the town on June 18.
At 10:17 a.m., the Town of Maple Creek declared a state of emergency, with more than 70 homes, the hospital and the trailer court evacuated. As over 100 millimetres of rainfall in the area pushed Harris and McDougald reservoirs to their limits, the fl ood water poured into the town around noon, making its way quickly down Highway 21 and across the west end of the town.
Mayor Barry Rudd said the Town began preparing for the fl ood when they were notifi ed by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) at 2:30 a.m.
“We were duly warned by the PFRA … that it was really going to be big, so kick it into gear, and we did,” he said.
Town workers and volunteers piled sandbags and dirt along streets to redirect the fl ow back to the creek, while RCMP from Maple Creek, Shaunavon, Leader, Swift Current and Kyle and the Maple Creek and Fox Valley fi re departments closed down streets and redirected traffi c. Flood waters reached levels of more than two feet on some streets.
Residents along Harrigan Crescent and portions of First Street, Aspen Street and Cypress Street were advised to evacuate as the fl ood advanced.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park was closed for the fi rst time in history after it received more than 75 millimetres of rain in only 48 hours.
Over 100 volunteers worked to fi ll sandbags at the Department of Highways building, with extra bags needing to be delivered from Swift Current. More than
3,500 sandbags were used in attempts to hold back the water.
The Salvation Army and Canadian Red Cross workers delivered food and drinks donated by local businesses to volunteers and residents throughout the day.
Residents in outlying areas were left stranded in their homes as the fl ood water washed out roads and bridges.
Kevin and Jenn Widmer were unable to make it away from their ranch southwest of Maple Creek for two days while three feet of water fl owed across their laneway.
“We made it out in a four-by-four truck, but the water was still about a foot deep,” said Jenn when the couple arrived in town on June 19.
A portion of the Trans-Canada Highway was closed when Junction Reservoir spilled into Eagle Valley Campground and demolished about 75 metres of the westbound lane after the culvert failed.
“There's no more coulee there,” said Rudd. “The Department of Highways and Infrastructure is saying (the westbound lane) could be closed for up to a month.”
Traffi c was rerouted up Highway 21 to Highway 321.
By late afternoon, the fl ood water made its way along Pacifi c Avenue and was heading down Sidney Street.
“It was enough fl ow that … railroad ties were coming down the street like toothpicks,” explained Rudd.
The water began to subside in the northern areas of town at about 7 p.m.
RCMP and volunteers worked through the night rerouting traffi c and water until fl ood levels subsided on the west side of town early the next morning.
Photo courtesy Marcia Love, Maple Creek News Vehicles quickly make their way through the growing water level at the intersection of Pacifi c Avenue and Jasper Street in Maple Creek Sask.
Photo courtesy Marcia Love, Maple Creek News Volunteers block off Sidney Street from traffi c as the fl ood progresses south from Pacifi c Avenue.
Flood Relief Barbeque
Friday June 25 3-7 pm in Vision's/Sobey's parking lot
$4 bucks gets you a pop, chips and a hotdog courtesy of Sobey's BBQ Provided by Gyp-tec Drywall
tons of prizes! Donation not mandatory but encouraged All proceeds and donations going to Red Cross.
Thanks to the Medicine Hat News and Tri-Cube Media for helping get the word out
Prizes included but not limited to: • 8GB I-pod touch from Wal-Mart
• Autographed Tyler Ennis Jersey from The Medicine Hat Tigers
• 4 x $25.00 gift certs PLUS a patio heater or large electric cooler (TBA) from Boston Pizza
• 4-pack Rodeo ticket pack for Friday, July 30th from the Medicine Hat Stampede
When the unexpected happens, rest assured with Western Financial Group.
• 2 x $50 gift certs from Perkins
• 1 x large gift package ($50-75 value) from Harley Davidson/ Buell of Medicine Hat
• 1 x large gift basket with $100 gift cert from Chantilly Lace • 1 x Arrangement from Our Flower Shop
• A Pair of tickets to Kid Rock, Iron Maiden, Uproar Festival and Gord Downie from ROCK 105.3
• 2 x $40.00 Gift Certifi cates to Samir's Donairs • Designer sunglasses from Oxenbury Optical
• Parker's Furniture - (kitchen set) includes 11 piece stainless steel cookware set, knife set, storage containers & mini- vacuum. Value $300.00
• Medicine Hat Lodge & Casino By Vanshaw - Casino Package…includes One Night Accommodation, $20 in Casino Chips & Hot Breakfast Buffet for 2 people
Bow Island
118 - 5 Avenue W 403-545-2252
Medicine Hat (Downtown) 459 - 2 Street SE 403-526-2885
Medicine Hat (South)
#1 - 1299 Trans Canada Way SE 403-526-8995
41026038•06/24/10 Home I Auto I Business I Farm I Life I Travel I Pet
• Medicine Hat Meat Traders - $50 worth of beef jerky • Original Joe's - gift card • Our Flower Shop - exotic plants (value $100)
• Aerus Electrolux - cleaning kit (value $50). Hardwood fl oor cleaner, micro-fi bre cloths, home fragrance • 4 x $50 gift certifi cates to Mr. Lube • Electric Trimmer from Lawn Shop Services • $200.00 Gift Cert from 20/20 Vision Care • Redcliff Home Hardware - Calgary Flames Jerseys • And Much more!
Free draws for
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