Guest post by Shelly Makrugin, Communications Advisor, Alberta
As flood waters devastated Southern Alberta, High River residents watched as their town was swept away from them. The entire town was ordered to evacuate as water levels rose past vehicles and the first storey of homes.
That was just two years ago. June 20
th, 2015 marked the two-year anniversary of the
Alberta Floods, when flood waters claimed five lives and cost millions in damage across Southern Alberta. Last Saturday, High River residents gathered together to celebrate how far they’ve come since that devastating day.
High River residents gather together in George Lane Memorial Park.
“It has been trying and hard two years,” Mayor of High River, Craig Snodgrass, says in an emotional speech delivered at George Lane Memorial Park Saturday. “Today we remind the world we are better and stronger than ever.”
Mayor Snodgrass commended his community for its fortitude and strength during such a difficult time, but assures the wider community that “High River is open for business.”
Mayor Snodgrass gives a moving speech to the residents of High River.
In his speech, Snodgrass also thanked Canadian Red Cross for its part in supporting the community to build back stronger. In conversations that followed between Red Cross Provincial Director for Alberta, Jenn McManus, and Mayor Snodgrass, McManus assured him that the Red Cross will continue to assist those who still need help.
Recovery in High River is on-going and the province’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs, Deron Bilous, saw that first hand. He also spoke to the crowd, acknowledging that many Albertans are still in the recovery process and assured residents that the government would work with them. He told the crowd “the spirit of High River is inspiring to all Albertans.”
High River is now focused on the future and moving forward. Mayor Snodgrass declares that every year, from now on, the Saturday before June 20
th will be a day to celebrate the community - “it’s our home and we love it here,” he says.