The Flood of 2013: A Summer of Angry Rivers in Southern Alberta by Herald

by The Calgary Herald

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Calgary Foundation's Flood Rebuilding Fund.The Flood of 2013 chronicles an unforgettable summer of angry rivers, unprecedented flooding and undeniable human spirit. This book looks at how the disaster irrevocably changed southern Alberta and its people. In the face of disaster, Albertans showed their true grit and rose above adversity—just like their ancestors did for generations before them.The flood began in southern Alberta on June 20 and led to four deaths, billions of dollars in damage and more than 100,000 people fleeing their homes to escape raging waters. More than eighty Herald journalists—photographers, writers, editors, videographers, researchers and digital producers—became involved in narrating the tale of the flood. Using their words and images, this stunning volume captures not only the devastation and destruction of the flood but also the emergence of heroes and heartfelt moments. Neighbours helped neighbours. Strangers helped strangers. And Albertans vowed to recover, come hell or high water.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Juanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book gave me an idea what was happening in my city while I was living outside of the Canada.

[LibraryCin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In late June 2013, Southern Alberta was hit by floods that not only affected small cities and towns, but also the largest city in the province. This book was put together by the Calgary Herald, one of the daily newspapers. It tells the story of the flooding, but a good portion of the “story” is told through the photographs included. There is more text in the first and last chapters (The Raging Waters and Hell or High Water) but the middle chapters are almost all photos.

The chapters tell the story starting with the flood itself, then the damage and devastation, then the cleanup and the amazing number of people volunteering to help out afterward.

I am biased. I live in Calgary and was here while it happened. I certainly knew the events that happened, but this included some detail I hadn't known about, including more information on the few people who died in the flooding (five people died; over 100,000 people were evacuated). As I read this just over one year later, all kinds of emotions went through me while I was reading and looking at the photographs (probably most I'd seen before; some I remember, some I don't). The first chapter, especially, was written so well, I felt almost on the edge of my seat, though I knew what happened. Though I was not directly affected (work or home), I certainly knew a lot of people who were (many evacuated), and I could see the devastation not too far from where I lived and on my route (very detoured) to and from work. I thought this book was incredibly well done.

[Tracee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly looked at the pictures......I honestly forgot this flood had even happened until I saw the Saddledome picture. I was a little distracted at the time....

Pictures are great and seems like an informative read, I just wasn't interested enough to read the text.