The Calgary flood would be the most expensive natural disaster in Canadian history.

One year ago the rivers of Southern Alberta, already swollen with spring rains and snow melt from the Canadian Rockies, grew violent when a massive weather system stalled over the foothills. Chris Scott, a chief meteorologist with the Weather Network, described it as ” a fire hose of moisture,” that relentlessly went on for almost 24 hours.

So widespread was the weather system and so furious in its unleashing at the headwaters of all waterways flowing into the Bow and Elbow rivers that run through Calgary, the landscape and lives of Southern Alberta would be impacted forever.

Taking five lives, damaging tens of thousands of homes and businesses and causing billions of dollars in damage, the water ravaged many southern Alberta communities including the city of Calgary.

Behind the raging rivers of the Calgary flood followed another flood; an outpouring of human kindness.

Calgary’s mayor Naheed Nenshi worked steadfastly for almost 48 hours straight after the flood waters displaced tens of thousands of people and flooded Calgary’s downtown core. Known for his social media prowess, Calgarians took to Twitter using the hashtag #Nap4Nenshi to get the tireless leader to rest.

After some much needed sleep the mayor called for volunteers to gather at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium. Several hundred people were expected. 2500 showed up. The awe-inspiring volunteer response had begun.

From that day and for months to follow, thousands of Calgarians, Albertans, Canadians and international visitors kept helping in the Calgary flood clean up. Shoveling mud, hauling out residents belongings, cleaning and listening, the scenes were heart breaking and made one’s heart soar all at the same time.

Behind those in the mud were thousands more supporting those who were able to do the physical work. Restaurants, food trucks, parents and children bringing food, water, wet towels; anything to help those who had been flooded and those cleaning it up.

“I’ll never forget the rivers running faster and higher and angrier than I’ve ever seen; people’s lives piled up in front of their houses on their lawns, the devastation. But the image that will stick with me forever, the image I will never forget, is the image of that citizen, covered from head to toe in mud and mosquito bites, cut and bruised and battered, working incredibly hard to save the house of someone she doesn’t even know.”

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

The angry rivers came and in their devastating wake a sea of positive humanity settled on Calgary and Southern Alberta. One year later we gaze to the dark skies and collectively hope and wait.

Photos from 2013 used with permission from Ash Lockwood Photography