Calgary Floods Kill Three And Force 75,000 From Homes

Three people have been killed in the Calgary floods, and another 75,000 have been evacuated from the western Canadian city says USA Today.

Overflowing rivers washed out bridges and roads, soaked homes and turned streets into water ways around the Southern Alberta area.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Patricia Neely told reporters three were dead and two bodies were recovered according to USA Today.

“Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday called the level of flooding “stunning” and said officials don’t know yet if it will get worse, but said the water has peaked and stabilized and noted that the weather has gotten better.”

Twenty-five neighborhoods in the city, an estimated 75,000 people, have already been evacuated due to the dangerous floodwaters in Calgary.

Harper, a Calgary resident, reportedly said he never imagined there would be a flood of this magnitude in this part of Canada.

“This is incredible. I’ve seen a little bit of flooding in Calgary before. I don’t think any of us have seen anything like this before. The magnitude is just extraordinary,” he said.

“We’re all very concerned that if gets much more than this it could have real impact on infrastructure and other services longer term, so we’re hoping things will subside a bit.”

A spokesman for Canada’s defense minister said 1,300 soldiers from a base in Edmonton were being deployed to the flood zone.

Strong, dangerous weather has effected more than just Canada. In the U.S., while not as powerful as first expected, a derecho struck a wide area with heavy rain and high winds.

Even in Mexico, tropical storm Barry completely drenched the Veracruz area.

About 1,500 have gone to emergency shelters while the rest have found shelter with family or friends, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said according to USA Today.

Now that summer has officially begun, we can only wonder at what other crazy weather is going to start moving in.

[Image via Huffington Post]