Alberta floods
by Kerry George

The first week of June produced more rainfall than the usual average rainfall for the entire month. Some Southern Alberta rivers swelled under the pressure as millions of tonnes of water washed down into them.

Residents of the Wallace and Beachwood areas in High River worked feverishly, sandbagging the fronts of their homes. The job was overwhelming and the banks of the river spilled over.

Out of the centre of the crisis and the hopelessness of the situation the Christian church and the pioneer spirit of Alberta worked together to hold back the tide. Pastor Stewart MacKenzie of the Full Gospel Tabernacle said, "There really wasn’t time for an organized initiative." Yet organized or not, help was on the way.

Truckloads of Hutterites with sand, bags and shovels began to arrive from nearby colonies to assist their neighbors in need. Local teenagers went from house to house in the Wallace community. Soaked to the chest in muddy water they worked tirelessly sandbagging late into the night.

Across the community volunteers from various churches and help agencies moved into action. Donations of water, food, blankets and other necessities began to pour into the Recreation Centre and High School for evacuees. Although 99 had checked in during the first day of the flooding, only 50 stayed the night. Scott Kovatch, Public Information officer, credited that to the "liturgical community" who offered hospitality in their own homes.

Later that week the acts of mercy continued as members of Samaritan’s Purse, Mennonite Disaster Services and local churches banded together offering free services. They pumped basements, wet-vacced carpets, moved furniture and cleaned out freezers as needed.

One homeowner from the Wallace area summed it up when he said, "This is the way it is supposed to be. People helping each other in a time of need."