Some High River residents heading home
But water still surrounds most houses in hardest-hit town
High River — Some High River residents were awash with relief Friday after officials announced they will be allowed home as early as Saturday as part of the staged reentry plan for the flood-ravaged community.
But the news was not good for all those living in the town as it was revealed the majority of houses are still in a lake of water caused by the flash flooding more than a week ago.
“Two-thirds of this community is still underwater because it is a collection bowl for the water,” Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths said at a briefing Friday afternoon.
Those living in the northwest part of the town, whose homes have been deemed safe by officials, will be allowed to return at noon Saturday. Bus tours have been organized for others so they can see also see their houses, said Rick Fraser, associate minister responsible for High River’s recovery.
“The buses will continue every day and we’re going to make it available for all those people who want to see their homes. We’ll run them until they’re done,” Fraser said.
Only one person per household will be allowed on the buses, he added.
Most of the town’s 13,000 residents have been out of their homes since last Thursday when it was hit by the floods and a mandatory evacuation order was put in place. About 300 residents have defied the order and stayed in the town, which lacks power, water and sewer service.
Fraser called again for patience as some people may assume their home is dry and safe, but looks can be deceiving. “What looks safe on the outside might not be safe on the inside, and so we need to make sure that the inspectors get in there.”
The province is set to build temporary housing for those whose homes are uninhabitable or need significant repairs. A welcome centre, which will provide information and resources — including posttraumatic stress counselling — to returning residents will also be set up.
For those who have been growing increasingly frustrated with municipal and provincial officials as they waited beyond the town borders for a chance to check on their homes and assess damages, news of the re-entry plan was welcome.
Tensions eased at an RCMP blockade on the northwest perimeter of High River where roughly 50 evacuees gathered for a second day as a form of protest as the information filtered to the group.
“That’s going to give people a lot of hope,” resident Jeff Langford said. “I’ll be the last one in, but that doesn’t matter as long as people start going, that’s what makes a difference.”
Greg Kvisle said he is excited to get back to his house and grab a change of clothes.
“The biggest thing that’s going to come is now we can be a community again, get in and help our neighbours,” he said. “I’m sure you’re going to see a great spirit of co-operation and happiness going through (the recovery).”
Still, there were continued criticisms about the poor communication from officials through the ordeal.
“They should have communicated some sort of game plan long before,” Langford said. “I know they have to assess things, but communication is everything and this government has not been good at communicating throughout this whole thing.”
Kvisle predicted changes to the town council following an election this fall.
“I think they’re done and they know it,” Kvisle said. “There will be people running against them now because there is so much anger.”
On Friday morning, the Alberta government took over responsibility for High River and its emergency operations, programs and services. The request came from beleaguered Mayor Emile Blokland who has faced mounting criticism from residents over the past eight days.
“The disaster in High River has been overwhelming. That’s why we are taking this unique and unprecedented step,” Griffiths said in a statement.