Alberta floods lead to disaster recovery program

Alberta experienced one of the worst flood seasons on record in the summer of 2005 due to severe weather conditions, according to the Government of Alberta.

These unprecedented conditions, which saw rainfall ranging from between 50 and 100 mm to more than 400 mm, influenced the province’s decision to create the Southern Alberta Disaster Recovery Program. The program provides coverage for damages that are not readily or reasonably available through traditional insurance.

As a result of severe rain and flooding in 2005, the disaster recovery program received a total of 12,126 applications, of which 2,879 were considered ineligible. About 86% of the applications were residential, 7% were commercial and 6% were agricultural. Less than 1% comprised municipal and First Nations claims.

To date, the program has paid out CD$73.1 million. The estimated total cost of the program is CD$162.7 million, once final municipal infrastructure and emergency operations costs are received.

In an attempt to mitigate flood damage in the future, Alberta has created a ministerial task force to examine the impact of flooding in southern and central Alberta. MLA George Groeneveld is leading a Flood Risk Management Committee made up of representatives from the three ministries.

In consultation with the 70 municipalities most directly affected, the committee is examining measures such as:

* expanded flood risk assessment to gain better information for flood forecasting, mitigation and emergency response,

* flood mitigation works, and

* adopting measures that curtail development in flood-prone areas.