Let me echo the sentiment that has rang loud and clear over the past week or so: it's so hard to believe that it was a year ago that we were all bracing for the worst disaster in Alberta's history. The 2013 Flood was something none of us ever want to live through again. And while many of us media types take a look back, I thought I'd take a moment as well to do the same.
Last July, I did write up a blog post on my feelings right after the insanity subsided. You can read that whole post here. The emotion and feelings were still pretty strong at that point (and a little sleep deprivation). I've also obviously moved up in the world, so my outlook has changed a little bit. But the message does remain the same.
It's that raw emotion that still rattles me. Nothing will jar you more than looking into the eyes of someone who has lost everything except the shirt off their back and ask them to answer a few questions with a microphone in hand. Truth be told: after the third day of the flood, I went home and cried myself to sleep. It wouldn't be the first time during a stretch of six days straight where I worked 20-hour days (happened twice). Part of it might have been physical and mental exhaustion, but the bigger part was, without a doubt, the bottled up emotions that you're not only feeling, but the ones you're sharing with those you're speaking with.
But it was all worth it. It's what I, and most other journalists, live for. We're here to inform. It's events like the flood which give us the opportunity to tell stories in a way most others can't. As I mentioned in my post from last July, it's when we are a true public service. Whether it be on the air or online, we're trying to give you the most up-to-date information in real-time.
A little story for you: I was part of the team that launched 102.1 The Lounge in Medicine Hat in the spring of 2008. Within the first few weeks of being on-air, we had several big stories come our way, including a major thunderstorm which ripped through Burdett, Seven Persons and other parts of SE Alberta. We went out to those communities that night and the next morning and brought our listeners every story we got a hold of. It was after that when many people came to us and said "you've gained our trust and are now our news source." For a team of two (at the time), that was pretty special. That sentiment continued throughout my time in the 'Hat and, even to this day, some people still claim that I (and other members of my old team) hold that place as "the place to go." I'm still very proud of what our team (Christy, Steve & Harv) accomplished.
And that's what I (and all journalists) really strive for: to be trusted in your home and office. That's what we wanted during the 2013 floods. And I reckon that's what we'll all be striving for heading into this coming week, as Southern Alberta braces for more possible flooding in the Lethbridge and Medicine Hat regions in particular. Sitting in my new position as news director, I can say without a shadow of doubt that's my team's goal here in Calgary each and every day, and we'll do everything we can to provide that as Alberta battens down the hatches.
One final note: thank you for allowing us into your homes, offices and lives.
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