EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE

A FLOOD OF MEMORIES Health Services recounts 2013 natural disaster that took province by storm

By Jason Morton

n June 19, 2013, heavy rainfall in “I’ve been in health care for 28 years and throughout the region. While many and the mountains west I’ve seen a lot of natural disasters, but I had facilities were at risk, the two hit hardest Oof the city caused unprecedented never seen anything like the flood of 2013,” were in High River and Canmore, Alta. flooding from multiple watersheds. The says Allan Roles, senior director of capital rain over the mountains melted heavy management for HIGH RIVER OVERRUN WITH WATER snowpack virtually overnight. Rivers (AHS), Calgary zone, who recalls how he As the name suggests, the community of breached their banks and flooded many and his team had little time to react to the High River had seen flood conditions in communities. The extreme weather event fast-moving floodwaters. “Southern years past but, in 2013, the flood impacted led to the costliest natural disaster in Alberta had almost no warning.” the community and High River General Canadian history and had a major AHS’ capital management team and site Hospital like never before. By the morning impact on many of the healthcare staff had to act quickly to lessen the impact of June 20, after more than 300 millimetres facilities in the area. of the floods on healthcare facilities of rain had fallen in a 12-hour period, the

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floodwaters from the any help or supplies into the community too far away. The concrete berms were approximately half a kilometre away began from Calgary, an hour away. The floods had carried to Canmore and set up in front of pouring into the parking lot of the hospital also forced the closure of all roads to the hospital. To the collective relief of and were moving toward its front doors. At Canmore General Hospital and water was everyone working to protect the hospital, 9 a.m., AHS staff began placing sandbags threatening the facility. the berms held the water, preventing further near the main entrance of the hospital. “Canmore was on its own,” says Craig flooding at the facility. “What was amazing to see throughout Schultz, director of facilities maintenance the province was, as things intensified, and engineering for AHS, Calgary zone. AFTER THE WATER RECEDED staff from all areas — nurses to janitors “Unlike High River, where we could get Throughout the Calgary zone, many — dropped everything, stayed calm and staff or supplies to come in from other healthcare facilities suffered some flood worked together,” says Doug McKay, nearby facilities, there was no way in or out damage but, for the most part, the damage director of rural and community for of Canmore. They had to find solutions was contained because of the quick actions AHS, Calgary zone. “There were stories with what limited staff and materials they and hard work of AHS staff, the provincial of (off-duty) senior physicians and had on hand.” government, Canadian military, fire administrators driving into work to help At 11 a.m., the floodwaters pushed their departments and local RCMP. lift sandbags.” way onto the hospital’s loading dock and At High River and Canmore General By noon, water levels continued to rise. staff entrance. Three hours later, water had Hospitals, damage was limited to flooring, Electricity, Internet and phone services in entered the hospital’s basement. millwork and drywall. The hospital in the town went down and the hospital had to ATCO, a utilities company, provided Canmore also had damage to a CT chiller. run on generator power. A few hours later, AHS with water pumps to move water In High River, there was a substantial loss the generator itself was at risk of being away from the front of the facility; however, of contents to the detached workshops and underwater as staff tried to protect it with there was nowhere for the water to go. major restoration was required on support sandbags. By late afternoon, the supply of That night, AHS staff and the local fire office buildings not far from the hospital. sandbags was exhausted and teams had to department worked to try to contain the use salt bags. At approximately 6 p.m., floodwaters by building a berm system using A LESSON WELL LEARNED water began to seep into the facility. While elongated flexible tubes, called a tiger berm. The most important lesson learned from the patients remained, all non-essential staff At first, it appeared the berm was going to 2013 flood is that no amount of planning was evacuated from the hospital on the work but, a couple of hours later, all hope can prepare a hospital’s emergency response back of a manure truck. Thankfully, the disappeared when water broke through. team for every eventuality during a disaster. generator was saved. Two teams of AHS facility and However, ample advanced planning will free On June 21, the floodwaters had receded maintenance workers from Calgary and up precious time during a crisis situation to but the town’s sewer system was down, and Didsbury, Alta., were waiting at nearby focus on the unexpected. the quality and safety of potable water airports to be taken by military helicopter to When preparing for disaster, Roles could not be guaranteed. A decision was Canmore to help with flood efforts. At 10 advises to regularly check emergency A FLOOD OF MEMORIES made to evacuate the 150 patients still p.m., the military informed the teams they supplies equipment. It’s important to being cared for at the hospital to other AHS would not be able to transport them as they have an inventory list and to make sure facilities in the area. were too busy airlifting residents out of the the hospital has everything it needs in By June 22, most of High River was under High River area. case of emergency at least once a year. mandatory evacuation. Only essential Not to be deterred, the teams were If a facility doesn’t have all the services were allowed into the town and the escorted to Canmore by the RCMP, necessary equipment or supplies, then Canadian military was patrolling the streets. traversing rough roads en route that had it should have a process in place to No contractors or AHS staff could get to the been officially closed. They arrived around obtain those materials from other sites, hospital to assess damage. 2 a.m. to provide much-needed help. facilities or suppliers when needed. It’s “These teams were determined to get to also critical to have a plan in place to RIDING OUT THE FLOOD IN CANMORE Canmore to help their co-workers,” says communicate if land, Internet and Meanwhile, almost two hours away, the Shultz. “It was inspiring and I think really cellphone lines go down. mountain town of Canmore was dealing helped to boost the morale of the local team Should disaster strike, Roles says it is with floodwaters that carried in unique who felt stuck and isolated.” helpful to have representation from the challenges. On June 21, the floodwaters continued to healthcare facility, Province and By June 20, the full impact of the surge and there was discussion of evacuating municipality, along with other disaster floodwaters that came from the local the 125 patients from the hospital. AHS management personnel, in an emergency mountains was beginning to be felt. At and the province made one final response room to address next steps. 6:30 a.m., portions of the Trans- co-ordinated effort to contain the water. Highway between Canmore and Calgary They located concrete construction berms Jason Morton is a senior communications advisor were washed out. There was no way to get used by the transportation department not with Alberta Health Services.

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