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Calgary Flooding: Residents Return Home, What They Need To Know

What You Need To Know About Returning Home After A Flood

It's not a pretty sight. Houses are full of mud and some basements remain full of water. Personal possessions have been damaged beyond repair. It will take a long time to restore the city back to its previous condition.

Some Calgarians have returned to properties spared by flooding, but others face extensive repairs to homes and businesses. About 75,000 people had to leave at the height of the crisis as the Elbow and Bow rivers surged over their banks Thursday night.

The City of Calgary has some recommendations for homeowners returning to their homes to assess damage. They recommend the following steps be the first that you take.

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Emergencies

Returning Home After A Flood

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke firmly at Sunday's news briefing about how people should go about checking their properties.

He advised them to turn around if water was still evident on streets and sidewalks and said that under no circumstances should they enter homes if water welled over entry ways.

"If the road and sidewalk are not dry, or if there is flood water when you open the door, leave immediately." he said. "If there is water above electrical outlets, leave immediately.

"Electricity and water do not mix. Be very careful."

He suggested homeowners use letter-sized sheets of paper taped to windows to communicate with utility workers: "Gas needed. Electricity needed. Water-pumping needed."

With files from The Canadian Press

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