Thursday, June 27, 2013

Sky Over Vancouver

I snapped this photo in Vancouver last weekend.  We've had dry periods here and there  but the sky is still very gray.

Vancouver continues to get a lot of rain but probably not as much as Alberta where the Bow and Elbow rivers have overflowed and flooded cities and towns across southern Alberta.  Calgary's downtown core was under water, while other towns like Canmore, High River and Medicine Hat have also been hard hit.  and under water.  Altogether about 100,000 people have been evacuated due to the floods.  Economists are saying that the flooding in Calgary will cost the economy billions of dollars and that Canada's economy as a whole will also suffer a reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by several billion dollars.

On Monday the premier of the province said she thought it would take 10 years to fully rebuild the flood damaged areas of the province because a lot of the infrastructure (highways, etc.) has been damaged.

Regardless of  the huge issues created by the floods, the City of Calgary is attempting to regroup and forge ahead with their annual rodeo, the Calgary Stampede. The president of the stampede said it will go ahead "come hell or high water"on July 5th. It will be a huge challenge but in it's 101 year history, the stampede has never been cancelled despite two wars and the Great Depression.

Please keep the entire province in good thoughts and prayers.
There is so much damage and it is stressful to human and animals alike who have all been affected.

I'm linking up with Sky Watch Friday today.
Have a good weekend everyone.


26 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Wow, so much damage. My prayers go out to the victims of the flooding. I hope the rain has stopped and the sun is out. Wishing you a great day!

Rhodesia said...

I have no idea what is going on in the world, the weather here is bad this year and there are floods all over the world. My prayers go to all the people without homes or who have lost family members. Very sad. Take care Diane

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Ten years, wow! Prayers for the folks who live in the areas damaged. I hope the sun comes out soon.

Joanne Noragon said...

Wild and crazy weather is everywhere in the world.

Lynda said...

Bless their hearts - - the little town where I grew up in upstate NY just got parts of it flooded again for the second time in two years. Very tiring and discouraging to those hit. Funny about the stampede saying that cuz they definitely got the high water - - but it's understandable not wanting to break a tradition that old. The photo is still very pretty with the blue on the building against the gray.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Pretty capture!
We have lot of rain here in Michigan too :-(

Denise said...

So sad, praying.

Cindy said...

It's terrible what has happened in Alberta, it makes me sad to think of HIgh River being destroyed completely. So sad!
They need our prayers, that is certain.
Hugs, cindy

Sylvia K said...

Gray and grumpy skies seem to be happening everywhere lately, but I am so sorry to hear of all the damage! Great capture for the day and great composition! Holding good thoughts for all of you in the area! Hope you get a break in the weather soon!

Hayu Maselli said...

Hello Penny,
How are you, apologize for being late lately, happy to visit you again.
you still have grey skies in Vancouver, don't you have summer right now?
here already hot summer.
so sorry to hear the flood news. as well in Italy too.
wishing you a great week
hugs

Kay L. Davies said...

That's a beautiful shot of the grey sky contrasting with the brightly-coloured rooftop, and the flowers, Penny.
Medicine Hat did get hit hard, but it could have been much worse. The three bridges, including the Highway 1 bridge, all came through, and so did the water-treatment facility, which had been thoroughly sandbagged by volunteers from the area and from the Canadian Forces Base at nearby Suffield.
Our town, next to Medicine Hat, is mostly up on the prairie, not down in the river valley as much of The Hat is, so my friends and family worried needlessly. My brothers tried to assure their wives we would be fine, considering our location, but one sister-in-law e-mailed me with questions while the other sister-in-law talked her husband into phoning. He and I both laughed, but it was nice to know they thought of us.
I think I told you we're coming out there soon, but only for a few days and won't be making it into the city. So you take care, and I hope your weather has improved!
Luv, K

Joyful said...

I'm so glad to hear you and your family are fine, Kay. I'm sorry I'll miss you when you come west but I will also be going north soon. Hugs and safe travels. xx

Anonymous said...

Great contrasting shot with building and sky ~ Beautiful!

Indrani said...

Oh! My prayers too!

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shot. I hope everything will be fine much quicker.

Jenn Jilks said...

I was in Vancouver this weekend!
I love your province!

Al said...

Rain and floods in your part of the world, drought and terrible fires where I live with over 500 homes destroyed very near us, the weather's gone crazy! I like the photo and loved Vancouver the times I've been there.

Anonymous said...

How very peaceful and soothing with a gray sky and a splash of colour.

'Tsuki said...

Terrific colors !

EG CameraGirl said...

Yes, the flooding in Alberta has been tragic! How sad that some homes have been condemned so will be torn down. Some people have lost everything!

Vores have said...

Beautiful picture you show Joyful.
The weather here is NOT just summer weather: Gray + only 11.6 degrees. Wish you a good weekend :) Hugs Hanne Bente

Gillena Cox said...

what great spirit, wishes for a wonderful celebration

much love..

Elisabeth said...

Such a beautiful photo. Vancouver certainly is a beautiful city! What is going on in our world? Everyone in all parts of the world is having some kind of nature upheaval especially those poor tornado victims here in the U.S. We had a huge storm last night here in S. Florida and are awaiting the hurricane season these few months till October!

clairz said...

As you said in your comment on my blog, the weather is crazy all over the world, it seems. I know it is our nature to complain about the weather. Here, we were pleased to have finally had a rain storm last night, but today we are complaining that the rain has made everything too humid!

We have relatives in Calgary who, thank goodness, were not harmed by the flooding. But what a mess for everyone to deal with! I am amazed that they plan to go on with the Stampede. People are so strong in adversity.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I had no idea how serious the Alberta floods were. We've been traveling and I don't seem to be able to do that and keep up with the news. Crazy stuff.

It's hot here in the Pacific Northwest as you know, but not so bad as other places we could be, that's for sure.

Happy Canada Day.

Linda said...

Sounds like they've had BOTH hell and high water. Hope things improve quickly.

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