NEWS FILE PHOTO Merrick Brown, director of emergency management for the city.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
In the month when we are most at risk of possible flooding of the South Saskatchewan River, the city says its advance mitigation measures are in place.
A temporary berm built in Harlow was expected to be complete Tuesday and the one built off Industrial Avenue was completed Monday, said Merrick Brown, director of emergency management.
Of an estimated 25,000 sand bags that could be required if there was a flood, 18,000 have already been filled.
Brown says the action that needed to be taken in advance is accomplished and the balance can be handled when and if there is notice of an impending flood.
There is no current risk but there has been rain in the mountains and there is a snow pack still to melt.
“We are going to see a rise,” said Brown of the river level.
In 2013, the last significant flooding, there was a storm cell over the mountains for days that would not budge.
City COVID response
Children’s playgrounds: the reopening has been handled responsibly by the public, with few issues, said Brown. It is seen as an indication of how well the community responds to the reopening of facilities.
Garage Sales: “Not recommended,” said Brown.
There has never been a specific order regarding garage sales under COVID-19 measures but they are not a good idea and the city is hoping residents will recognize that.
Public splash pools, swimming pools and public washrooms: These will only be reopened under direction of the province and this is scheduled for phase three of the lifting of lockdown measures.
Mayor Ted Clugston says there has been a tremendous response from the public on ways to make “staycations” more enjoyable. Some ideas that are being considered include possible camping at Echo Dale and perhaps drive-in movies.
Clugston says it may appear as though there are a lot of construction projects on the go, there are about 30, but this is a fairly average year.
“The city is trying to keep business as normal as possible,” said Clugston.
Work on the parking lot work at the FLC has been in the cards for a long time and with the facility currently closed it was an ideal time to do the work.
