State of emergency lifted in Calgary on eve of Stampede

A crew pressure washes the midway as clean-up continues at the Calgary Stampede grounds after flooding in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, July 2, 2013. (Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Nearly two weeks after a state of emergency was declared due to the worst flooding in Calgary, Alberta’s history, the order has officially been lifted in the city.

Exactly 13 days after it was declared, the state of emergency was cancelled at 10:16 a.m. local time on Thursday, just one day before the Calgary Stampede opens on Friday.

"Our work is now transitioning from city-wide emergency disaster response to localized recovery and relief efforts," said director of Calgary’s Emergency Management Agency Bruce Burrell in a release.

"Now that the majority of our city is functional again, focus will shift to specific buildings and populations that are dealing with long-term flooding impacts. Public safety has always been, and continues to be, our first priority."

During the flood, much of downtown Calgary was turned into a lake and many homes and businesses were destroyed.

The Saddledome – home to the NHL’s Calgary Flames, and a major venue for the Stampede – suffered severe water damage, and will not be ready in time for the opening ceremonies. Several big ticket concerts including Kiss and The Dixie Chicks have been cancelled.

Despite the setbacks, Stampede organizers had promised the event would go forward, “come hell or high water.”

Tourism Calgary launched a new advertising campaign reassuring visitors that the city is open for business despite the devastating floods last month.

The national ad, which features Calgary’s mayor, will be broadcast on radio and television. The ad will also be featured in newspapers and online.

"Our community was pushed down, and we are pulling her back up. You’ll want to see what this community has accomplished," Nenshi says in the ad.

"You’ll get a chance to experience the energy of these streets, our great festivals, events and experiences. Summer is the time you want to be here. Come and visit Calgary, our doors are open."

Tourism Calgary CEO Cindy Ady said more shops and local attractions are opening every day. “Our western hospitality is at its best,” he said.

While attending a pre-Stampede breakfast Thursday, Nenshi said the rest of the world needs to know that the city is open for business.

He went on to suggest that this year’s annual event -- which runs from July 5 to July 14 -- will be special because it represents the spirit of Calgarians who have banded together to clean up the disaster.

Nenshi on Thursday also attended the memorial service for the 83-year-old woman who died last month during the flooding.

"I learned that … she loves cats; that ever since she was widowed she led a really active life; that she never learned to drive a car but she could take public transit anywhere in the city of Calgary.”

The woman’s body was found inside her apartment on June 23. Results from the autopsy show the woman died of accidental drowning.

According to police, the woman was aware of the mandatory evacuation order in her neighbourhood. Police at the time believed she was going to leave.

With files from CTV Calgary