As flood relief begins, Calgary residents long for home

Sitting on the step of a U-Haul truck, Rob Vanmil says he cant wait to get home.

"I dont like sleeping on the floor," Vanmil told CBC News in a gruff but friendly voice. "But it hasnt been unpleasant."

Vanmil is one of the 800-or-so homeless people staying at an emergency shelter near McKnight Boulevard in Calgarys northeast. He, like many here, is a long-term resident at the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre, one of the citys largest shelters, which was evacuated alongwith much of the downtownon Friday morning.

Looking around, Vanmil says its important that the Drop-Ins residents get back into their home soon.

"You can tell theyre nervous," Vanmil said.

"Thats their home, this is a big family."

Robert Hubert, who volunteers in the centres kitchen, nods along. He says he was worried by the sight of swelling rivers and heavy rain on Thursday night, but it wasnt until he was getting ready to prepare breakfast at 7 a.m. that he was told, "You gotta go."

When Hubert arrived at the emergency shelter a former Quality Inn hotel purchased by the shelter for emergency situations he was quickly put to work. The Calgary-based international aid organization delivered over 200 pizzas. Outside, on Friday and Saturday, a steady stream of cars pulled up to drop off sandwiches and cookies. Calgarys Muslim community drew huge lines by serving free shwarma from a truck in the parking lot.

"I spent nine-and-a-half hours in the kitchen," Hubert said with a smile. "All that foodwhere do you put it all?"

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Inside the hotel-turned-shelter, volunteers have filled the drained swimming pool with clothes and are sorting toiletries into individual kits.

Looking on, Drop-In manager Jordan Hamilton said hes amazed by the communitys response.

"We only exist because of them," Hamilton said.

Ugly work ahead

John Clayton, of Samaritans Purse, said Calgarians wanting to help out with the relief efforts will have plenty of chances.

"Its going to be a challenging couple of weeks," Clayton said, warning theres plenty of "ugly work" like ahead clearing muck out of flooded basements.

Clayton has provided relief in other flooding situations in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. He said its crucial to clear mud and water quickly to avoid problems with mould, but that can prove difficult for some homeowners.

"They just get stuck," Clayton said. "Some will have no idea what to do."

Samaritans Purse is preparing to deploy a trailer full of specialized equipment, portable showers, and it may even bring in people to help with the flood clean-up, Clayton said.

Many areas will soon need the help. By Saturday afternoon, Calgary officials were considering letting people back into six neighbourhoods.

For Vanmil and Hubert, however, the wait may be longer. Both said they were told they may not be back to their regular spots in the shelter until next Tuesday.