-20: A Tale of two floods

The Red River floods regularly, so one of my first issues is to pick the most story-worthy flood. There are two candidates from the twentieth century: 1950 and 1997. The destruction was far greater in 1950, even though there was more water in 1997. In a series called Disaster Strikes!, it’s tempting to go for destruction. And I found some interesting tidbits from 1950:

In 1950, Hollywood needed more Canadian coverage for their northern market. The flood was a gift from the gods. It was great visual theatre, yet unfolded so slowly that there was time to get your people and their cameras in place.
Only bottled beer, no draft beer, could be served in establishments with sewage backups in their basements.
Most of the money collected for the flood fund was collected in cinemas, because that’s where you found all the people. In 1950, almost everyone went to the movies once a week.

But 1997 had its own charms.  As a story; I mean no disrespect to anybody who suffered through either event. 1997, with all the water that poured over the banks of the Red, caused less damage because the province was prepared. Not only had it spent millions and millions of dollars on the Floodway and improved diking, it also had the example of Grand Forks (which fell to the ’97 flood two weeks before the water hit Winnipeg) to inspire volunteer flood fighters. And more importantly, there was a secret story in ’97. Call it an accident or an act of God, the unexpected happened in Ste. Agathe and the unexpected always makes for a good story.

1997 it is.