Alberta major flooding: Enforced Evacuation

[tenni]

Enforced Evacuation


In Alberta there is a very large flood in Calgary, Medicine Hat and a few other communities. There are orders to evacuate and this was done very quickly and unexpectedly.

Just now, the mayor of Medicine Hat has stated that there are ten people refusing to evacuate. He stated that if they do not evacuate that they could be forced to evacuate and/or be arrested.

Yes, Drew is in Calgary. Not all of Calgary is flooded but the downtown and some areas were evacuated. There have been a few deaths and a dangerous escape by a man and his cat from his truck as it disappeared into the water was recorded.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Gallery+swim+safety+High+River/8555890/story.html

Arguments to support forced evacuation is partially based on should the person refuse to evacuate and become endangered of dying, this forces level one responders’ lives in danger when they go to rescue them.


Do you support enforced evacuation in the case of disasters?

[traveler65]

I have lived most of my life in the New Orleans area and yes I do believe that enforced evacuations are necessary in disasters. I have listened to the 911 calls that came in during Katrina from people who refused to evacuate and then called begging and pleading for rescue. Unfortunately, those 911 operators had to listen to some of those people die on the phone with them because to send out help would only lead to more deaths. We are now told that if we refuse to evacuate we are on our own. No help will be sent and after the storm if we are found on the streets we will be charged as looters. Personally, I evacuate when it is necessary.

[Dog62]

I am NOT in favor of forced evacuations...no matter what. BUT I also believe that no one should be put in danger to rescue those that chose to stay. I also think those 911 operators in New Orleans (if it is true) should have hung up on those idiots that refused to leave. "Sorry, we told you not to expect help. Goodbye". Why should the 911 operators subject themselves to that sort or trauma, listening to idiots drown?

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Yeah I was worried about some dear friends that live there, and my Boi that works the oil fields there, too. Hope all are safe and well..:}
Cat

[Brian]

Fear not sexual libertarians, the bisexual.com porn archive and sex toy collection was safe in its golden vault on high ground overlooking downtown. :)

- Drew :paw:

[onewhocares]

Drew, glad to hear that you and the collection are safe and sound. Belle

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Very cool, Sweetie. Glad you tread water well, and are safe and sound..:}
Cat

[12voltman59]

I saw the flooding video in the area on the news the other day--it was really something--it seems that nearly anyplace anymore can be subject to some sort of crazy stuff---flooding, earthquakes, mudslides, fires, duststorms, tornadoes and even places from from the sea can be affected severely by "hurricanes'---a few years ago----we had the remnants of Ike come through with hurricane force winds for an entire day it was something else.

Glad to hear the location the sites are located were not in any danger, and even more importantly----Drew and those in his circle up there.

[_Joe_]

Fear not sexual libertarians, the bisexual.com porn archive and sex toy collection was safe in its golden vault on high ground overlooking downtown. :)

- Drew :paw:

It's hard to get soaking your feet when hanging from the sex swing. So I've been told.

[tenni]

Well, it is good that Drew’s sex toys are safe and dry. ;) The mayor says no using water to wash the mud off cars. I’m sure that would also apply to sex toys?


A few interesting points are coming out already. Around 2005 there was a flood that was considered the worst ever. This flood has been worse. A report was written on how to prepare for such flooding but it was not released until seven years after being given to the Alberta government. It was released on a Friday afternoon in 2012(seems like a government sneaky trick). None of the 18 suggestions have been impemented.


Another interesting aspect is that Alberta is the heart of the Oil industry and centre of denial of climate change. Here is an interesting reminder of the connection between such an increase in natural disasters and climate change.


http://steadycity.ca/2013/06/21/dear-alberta-this-flood-is-climate-change/

[Realist]

Glad you're high and dry, Drew!

I feel the same as Dog62. If you feel there's a chance you will survive, I don't think you should be forced to leave. Some people would rather die than lose their pets and possessions. However, I also think that if you choose to stay, you can't gripe if no one was available to save you, when and if you get into trouble... especially, if you were warned to leave.

I can't help but remember Harry Truman, the old fellow who chose to stay on Mount St Hellen, when it exploded. He'd said he was going to stay, as long as his whiskey held out!

I hope a lot of it wasn't wasted!

[long fuse]

http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/police-confiscate-guns-from-flooded-town/?cat_orig=world

[tenni]

The RCMP pledged Friday to promptly return guns it removed from evacuated homes in flood-stricken High River, but questions over officers' actions and the rights of gun owners promise to linger for some time. HIgh River has 13 000 citizens under enforced evacuation for more than a week since the flood.
RCMP officials said Friday officers took the weapons during door-to-door search-and-rescue operations to prevent them from being stolen or damaged.
Insp. Garth Woolsey said police took only guns that were in plain view of officers.
"We secured the firearms only for public safety reasons," said RCMP Insp. Garrett Woolsey, adding police took similar action during the wildfire that destroyed much of the town of Slave Lake in 2011.
"In the vast majority of cases - and I hope all of the cases - we are going to return those firearms to their lawful owners as soon as possible."


The provincial Emergency Management Act grants authorities additional powers during a state of emergency - including giving them the authority to enter premises without a warrant and taking property to "prevent, combat or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster."
Legislation notwithstanding, the affair prompted comments from provincial Solicitor General Jonathan Denis and the prime minister's office.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/RCMP+promises+return+guns+removed+from+High+River+ homes+soon+practically+possible/8593564/story.html#ixzz2XemXHoY6

*note High River residents have been reported since the beginning of the flooding to be in a high stressful emotional? reaction to the flooding since it began.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

BS. My gun isnt going anywhere, unless I am with it. And unless a person is in eminent danger, they shouldnt be Made to leave their property. Just my humble 2 cents worth. :}:2cents:
Mean, stubborn, ole Cat.

[tenni]

Cat
The people were in imminent danger and that is why there was an enforced evacuation. I understand that still with that in place 300 people remained for awhile in High River. I think that all/most were permitted back in Calgary flooded areas but not High River. Many people can not live in their flooded homes in Calgary and are physically in danger from mould, cholera etc. There were reports this week of water born illness unheard of before in Alberta due to the flooding.

They found an elderly woman dead in her apartment this week. She had been told to leave. She agreed to leave. She drowned in her first floor apartment reports say. No report on why she did not leave. Still with enforced evacuation there were only four deaths due directly to the flooding.

I think that most of the downtown business area is functioning again but not sure.

[long fuse]

I don't trust any statement that includes "in plain sight" where it concerns the police. It is a statement that I have been reading time and time again. In the case of these unfortunate folks who most likely lost all their posession, the taking of their firearms may not be the first issue that is primary to them. What would be interesting as a follow up story to this is; interview the residents and find out just how many had their weapons taken by the police and ascertain that their weapon was not in "plain view". For what it matters, I happen to agree fully with Cat.

[tenni]

HIGH RIVER, Alta. - Mounties in Alberta say they'll begin returning some of the guns they seized during searches of evacuated homes in High River.An RCMP news release says that owners of guns that were seized should call police, and that an officer will call them back to make arrangements to have the weapons picked up.The Mounties said earlier that they took the guns as officers searched homes in High River's flood zone to look for flood victims, pets and anything that might pose a threat to returning residents.An RCMP official said any guns removed from homes were not properly stored.


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/RCMP+they+will+start+returning+guns+seized+homes+e vacuated/8600084/story.html#ixzz2Xk0eKdHY