Eight Calgary flood refugees in one apartment: A tale of gradual madness

 

Noon

I arrived at Matt and Laura’s place in downtown Calgary last night, to find that the city is under risk of flooding. The Elbow River is rising to dangerous levels, and Calgarians are holding their breaths. We feel rather safe on the 17th floor, however.

5 PM

Sam has been forced to evacuate his apartment in Mission. Matt is gleeful about the prospect of a sleepover. We have stocked up on seven bottles of wine, and Laura is cooking a refugee dinner. So far, we are safe.

7 PM

Jordan and Melissa have also been evacuated, and are headed here. In an act of heroism, I have offered up my bed to them. Well, Laura has offered it, but I have complied.

9 PM

Adam has arrived, also thrown out of his apartment. We are now in the throes of a full-on refugee party, and others are expected to arrive.

Friday, June 21 2013

10 AM

In an effort to keep spirits high, we drank all the wine, several bottles of whiskey, and 20-something beers. Nobody has to work today. Justin was kicked out of his place and now he is camping out here as well. Things are getting crowded in this tiny two-bedroom apartment, and I fear a mutiny will happen before the weekend is over.

5 PM

We have restocked beer and wine supplies, and the Co-op has now shut down. We have spent much of the afternoon staring at each other in silence, wondering what to do. Half of the city is underwater; including the famous Saddledome where the Calgary Stampede takes place.

9 PM

It has now been over 24 hours since I left this apartment. I am becoming slightly stir-crazy. I have secretly written a prediction list in the back of my journal about who will go crazy first. Matt is my first guess.

11 PM

I was wrong–it was Justin. We took a frozen prawn wheel out of the freezer to eat later once the alcohol supplies are depleted. The tray is frozen solid and entirely inedible, but Justin insists on eating them anyway. I think he believes our food supply is running low, and I’m afraid he will be the first to resort to cannibalism.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

12 AM

I have retreated to the bedroom where I am trying to get some rest. I need my energy to fend off any zombie invasions.

3 AM

Matt was number two. He crept into the room just now, and sat on the bed next to me. He asked, “Don’t you find it weird to look at yourself in the mirror?” I tried processing this conversation. “What do you mean?” Still half-asleep. He mumbled something, and I said, “No.” He stood up abruptly. “Well, this has been a great chat,” he said before leaving the room. I’m nervous and in a cold sweat.

9 AM

The others stayed up all night. It’s Jordan’s birthday, and he’s decidedly upset about the prospect of having “the worst birthday ever.” Nothing will coax him out of his mood, not even a birthday cake. He simply rages and foams at the mouth.

10 AM

Adam has gone entirely mute. Him and Matt went to stock up on water, and ended up buying the entire grocery store’s supply. We chastised them for the money spent, and Adam hasn’t spoken a word since.

Meanwhile, Sam sits in the corner mumbling, “We need to talk to the hydro-geophysicist” over and over again. He has threatened to drive his truck through our front window. At least we think that’s what he threatened—it’s hard to make out his British accent at times.

NOON

Our zone is apparently under evacuation now. Laura and Melissa are frantically cooking a breakfast feast and are ordering everyone to take showers in case we lose our water supply and electricity.

1 PM

Overcome by stress, Laura has retired to her room and is laid up in a fetal position, occasionally sobbing into her pillow. Melissa is baking a birthday cake for Jordan (who’s still livid) while muttering about sticky floors. I appear to be the only sane person left.

3 PM

The sun is shining, the floodwaters are retreating, and I have escaped the toxic environment of the apartment. If you need to reach me I’ll be riding my raft down the Bow River.

  • June 22 2013

    Bwahahaha OMG Candice! I’m glad the waters are finally retreating. Hopefully the rest of your time in Calgary is dry and sunny!!

  • June 22 2013

    Haha – glad everyone is okay, and that you guys made the best of it. Hope things are looking up (and dry) in Calgary.

    • June 26 2013

      Thanks Rika! Everything worked out fine here. Others didn’t fare as well. :(

  • June 23 2013
    James Cook

    I hope everything ends up ok. It sounds like it is getting pretty bad out there.

  • June 23 2013
    James Cook

    I hope everything ends up ok. It sounds like it is getting pretty bad out there.

    • June 26 2013

      We’re good! We managed fine. The rest of the city, not so much. :(

  • June 23 2013
    Lukespartacus

    Lol… reminds me of Hurricane Sandy in Williamsburg.

    • June 26 2013

      I had forgot that happened. Disaster brings people together.

  • June 24 2013
    hikebiketravel

    Although I’m not in town as of Monday we are still waiting for electricity – though no flood damage. That’s getting a tad old for those at home. What a bloody mess by the sounds of things.

  • June 24 2013
    hikebiketravel

    Although I’m not in town as of Monday we are still waiting for electricity – though no flood damage. That’s getting a tad old for those at home. What a bloody mess by the sounds of things.

    • June 26 2013

      No kidding, we were some of the lucky ones…no damage, and in one of the few dry areas of town. Amazing, because my friends only lived five mins away. Hope you held up okay!

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

FREE CANDIE FOR ALL!
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE POSTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX