It's been a busy time around here ... and here is an update. The city fire department managed to empty the  six rail cars on the bridge, and then pulled them off the bridge (three each way), without any spills into the river. No petroleum contamination in the main water supply of the city.

This weekend, they are bringing people back into High River in stages ... but at least the residents will have an opportunity to see their home, even though they may still not be able to go inside. Much of the town still does not have electricity or drinkable water. All buildings have been inspected and listed in categories ... No damage, needs some repair/restoration, needs major repair/restoration, not habitable - to be destroyed. I can only imagine the emotional turmoil of the residents, wondering what category their home is in. There is no flood insurance available, and the need to rebuild will be so difficult, especially for those who live from paycheck to paycheck.

I heard a person say that even though we think it is an impossible situation, that's the way our generation lived when we were growing up ... oil lamps and lanterns, coal/wood burning cook stoves, no running water, no inside toilet facilities, no telephones ... and we turned out pretty darn good! So true!