While the flood that ravaged Southern Alberta has long been over, Albertans continue to recover.
In Drumheller, which was spared much of the devastation seen in other communities, one of the neighbourhoods hit hardest was Lehigh.
Some residents of the small neighbourhood are hoping the Town will help protect Lehigh and build berms along the river.
“What everyone is hoping is maybe the Town will build some dykes to help protect us. There are a few low spots where some dykes and berms could help quite a bit,” said long-time resident John Carls.
Some residents are frustrated flood mitigation hasn’t happened.
“We haven’t had any word from the Town whether or not they’re going to build a berm out here,” said Lehigh resident Tyson St. Jean. “It’s like we’re the forgotten ones.”
Scott and Penny Head, who moved to Lehigh in October 2012, would like to see a berm as well.
“A permanent berm would be wonderful. All the other communities have them, so ours should too. There’s 11 families here and it would sure be nice to know we’re a little safer,” said Penny.
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Lehigh residents are slowly rebuilding following the flooding in June, including Penny, left, and Scott Head. During the flood, an addition to the back of their home was destroyed. They, and other Lehigh residents, are calling for berms to be built to protect the community.
The Head house was one of, if not the, hardest hit house in Lehigh during the flood. The couple are choosing to rebuild, like most residents of the neighbourhood.
“We lost part of our house. There was a large addition on the back, but water got underneath it, eroded the dirt, the addition pulled away from the house, and it had to be demolished,” said Penny. “We’re going to start rebuilding next month.”
They have yet to hear from the province how much financial aid, if any, they will receive.
“We had someone come who took some pictures, and we filled in some more forms, but she didn’t really know anything. She gave us a phone number and told us to fax our bills there. They didn’t seem to have any answers for us,” said Penny. “Either way, we’ve got to rebuild.”
Peggy Ginger and her husband Ted, were spared direct flooding, but dealt with seepage into their basement. They’re also waiting to hear from the provincial government, but are committed to flood proofing their home.
“If we were to raise our house, fill in our basement, drill a well, and put in an addition for our furnace and water treatment, we could be virtually flood safe,” said Peggy.
“We really feel in limbo. Do we put money into our houses? What do you do?”
For St. Jean, two floods is more than enough.
“We were here in ‘05. My wife and I don’t want to go through this again, so we’re thinking of trying to sell next year. It’s obviously not a 1-in-100 year thing,” said St. Jean.
“My basement was full to the light bulb, water went four feet into the garage, and my well was full. I had seepage for a week and half after. I’d pump it out and the next day, there would be two feet of water back in the basement.”
Like the Gingers, St. Jean hasn’t heard from the province regarding financial help to rebuild.
“We waiting. They’ve gotten our application, but that’s about it. We did have the provincial adjuster here, but haven’t heard anything,” said St. Jean.
