A group of people was relieved to see the sun shining and a rescue boat coming to rescue them from the stack of building material north of High River where they sought refuge from the swelling Highwood River.
Jane Miller, owner of Titan Wall Technology, and five other business owners and employees were rescued Friday morning after spending the night of June 20 outside on a 12-foot stack of magnesium cement boards. They managed to make a fire, scrounged leftover pizza and cold beer to keep them warm and fed during the long night.
Miller said they were forced to seek refuge atop the stack of boards simply because they were overwhelmed by the flood waters and could not escape their building near the old air force hangar south of George Groeneveld Crossing on Highway 549.
“You couldn’t believe how fast and how much volume there was,” she said of the swelling Highwood River which devastated High River a week ago Thursday. “You just cannot get your head around it. If you have never experienced something like this, and I would not wish it on anyone, it is just surreal.”
The Highwood River flooded its banks early Thursday afternoon and the Town of High River was evacuated Thursday evening. Residents found shelter elsewhere while others were bused to Nanton, Blackie and Heritage Heights school.
Miller said when they were told to evacuate they quickly secured the building and equipment and collected important items.
However, when they went to leave the area they found they were trapped and escape routes were already flooded.
As a result, Miller, her employees and people from a neighbouring business used ladders to climb to the top of a stack of building material outside.
Concerned the building’s integrity might be suspect due to the raging river, they elected to find respite outside in the elements, which would also ensure they were visible for potential rescue.
“We were keeping an eye on things, but by the time we went to go it was too late,” said Miller. “It advanced so quickly.”
Once at the top of the boards, they built a fire and watched the helicopters dart in and out of High River rescuing others who were trapped by the flood.
Miller said the RCMP knew they were there, but they told police they were all right and to focus on higher priority rescues.
“We just waited and prayed it wouldn’t rain anymore and our prayers were answered,” she said.
They endured the long night with leftover pizza, food from the vending machine and the fire.
In the morning two members of the group strapped a couple of the boards together and managed to row their way through a flooded field to find some help.
They were successful and later this morning a rescue boat arrived at Titan Wall Technology and Willow Creek Homes to rescue the tired, cold group huddled together atop the boards.
“It was such a welcome sight,” said Miller of the rescue team.
The group was taken to dry ground and the rescue team was even able to find Miller’s two cats and bring them to safety.
Miller, who just moved her business to High River earlier this year, commended the rescue team for their professionalism and commitment.
Although she was rescued from her business she has not been able to get into High River to check on the state of her home.
Seeing the water stretching as far as the eye can see she is still taken aback by the disaster she endured.
“We made out alright, but still you never imagine anything like this. I don’t even know where to start.”
