City workers install slates of a removable flood wall to join brick bases on River Road at the entrance to the YMCA parking lot. The training day is an annual event for workers to refamiliarize themselves with processes and equipment in case of emergency.--SUPPLIED PHOTO
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It only took one hour for city crews to erect a temporary flood wall to tie the berm behind the Medicine Hat Arena to higher ground on Thursday morning – an annual refresher done ahead of the high water season.
Officials stressed there is no flood threat, but the drill provides crews a chance to familiarize themselves with the process and equipment.
In a May update, Alberta river level forecasters predict below average to average stream flows from the May to September period on the Bow, Oldman and Milk river systems.
The entrance to the Arena and YMCA parking lot is one of six locations in the city where permanent berms provide openings for roadways or parkade entrances.
Three are located at city hall or the Alberta Law Courts. Others are at the Altawana Drive entrance to Riverside and the other joins berms in Lions Park and Strathcona Island Park.
Annual flood-prep exercises include updating operating manuals, inspecting berms and outfalls to the river from the storm water sewer system and inspecting the stockpile of sandbags and other temporary walls.
Weather warning
Environment Canada issued two special weather statements for southeast Alberta, including note that a system moving in could be favourable for the formation of funnel clouds on Thursday.
The other noted that much higher than normal temperatures are expected in Medicine Hat and much of Alberta starting this weekend. A forecast high of 31C on Tuesday is about 15 degrees hotter than normal for mid May. Nighttime lows may only fall to the mid-teens.
