Update 5: Government continues to respond to flooding emergency

• 27 confirmed states of local emergency as of 8 am.
• 28 active local Emergency Operations Centres in southern Alberta, including municipalities, First Nations, and private industry (Fortis).
• Acute care patients from the Drumheller Hospital have been evacuated to facilities in Hanna, Stettler, and Three Hills. The remaining patients are sheltering in place. An evacuation of several low lying neighbourhoods is underway and is expected to affect approximately 4,000 residents. RCMP and fire personnel are going door-to-door informing residents of the evacuations. A reception centre has been established at the Drumheller Co-Op. 
• Black Diamond Hospital evacuation has been completed and 100 homes have been evacuated. A reception centre has been established to provide residents with information.
• About 10,000 people from Medicine Hat have been evacuated. An evacuation reception centre and volunteer coordination centre has been established at the Medicine Hat College. The City of Medicine Hat Flood Information Line phone number is 403-502-8900. 
• Approximately 1,000 members of the Siksika Nation have been evacuated. Evacuation centers are set up at Deerfoot Sportsplex and Gleichen arena. 
• Boil water alerts have been issued for a number of communities. Details on current boil water orders are available online.

What you need to know if you’ve been affected by flooding

• Do not return to your communities until your local authorities have given permission to do so.
• For family re-unification, call the Red Cross information line at 1-866-696-6484.

Disaster recovery program

• Disaster recovery programs provide financial assistance for municipalities and their citizens who incur uninsurable loss and damage as a result of a disastrous event. Municipalities apply for disaster recovery programs on behalf of their residents.

Reception centres

• In communities where there have been large evacuations, municipalities have set up reception centres. Albertans who have evacuated are encouraged to register at a reception centre or call the Red Cross information line at 1-866-696-6484.
• High River evacuees can register or be located at 1-403-991-0526.

Road closures

• Portions of 16 highways remain closed, three ferries are closed and three sections of highway are open to emergency vehicles only. For the most up-to-date information on highway conditions and closures go to www.511.alberta.ca, follow @511Alberta or call 511.
• Alberta Transportation has been working closely with the RCMP and local authorities to start safely permitting highly restricted travel out of Canmore. With the exception of emergency service vehicles and the delivery of essential supplies, no travel is permitted into Canmore from any direction. There are still no private passenger vehicles permitted east-bound on the TransCanada between Canmore and Banff.
• For the safety of all motorists, the RCMP and Alberta Transportation officials encourage individuals to avoid stopping on the shoulders of the highway or walking along highways to view flooded areas.  Follow signs and stay away from damaged bridges.

Anyone in areas where flooding and heavy rainfall is occurring should:

• Listen to local media reports and follow instructions from law enforcement and local officials.
• Sign up to receive emergency alerts from Alberta Emergency Alert at www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca.
• Avoid any rivers or streams in those communities.
• Everyone in affected communities is encouraged to stay connected to local authorities and to obey evacuation orders in order to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Social services

• Alberta Works clients who receive benefits by cheque rather than electronic deposit, and who are impacted by flooding in southern Alberta, can call the Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135 (then press 1) or send an email to [email protected] to find out how to receive benefits.
• Residents receiving benefits from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program by cheque rather than electronic deposit, and who are impacted by flooding in southern Alberta, are advised to call the Calgary AISH office at 403-297-8511 during regular office hours.
• If families or contracted service providers need any human, financial, or in-kind assistance to safely evacuate, accommodate and provide individuals receiving PDD supports, please contact your local regional board for more information.
• More information available at http://humanservices.alberta.ca/flood-update.html.

Tourism and Parks

• Visitor Information Centres throughout southern Alberta and as far north as Red Deer are also extending their hours to help travelers locate accommodation and find alternate routes to travel.
• Up-to-date information about provincial parks impacted by flooding is available online and the 1-800-ALBERTA (252-3782) contact centre is staying open extended hours this weekend to assist visitors with their information needs and provide rerouting suggestions.
• Approximately 742 people have been evacuated from campgrounds and facilities in Kananaskis Country. There have been 25 aerial missions rescuing 116 people and delivering supplies.

Flood and weather conditions
For current flood warnings and water level conditions: www.environment.alberta.ca/forecasting/advisories/index.html

For more detailed information on weather and stream conditions, see the forecaster’s comments: www.environment.alberta.ca/forecasting/ForecastersComments/index.html

Hospitals
Up-to-date information on facilities is posted on the Alberta Health Services webpage.

Health and seniors benefit information

• Alberta Aids to Daily Living Clients should proceed to their medical supplier vendor as usual. Billing for residents affected by flooding will be addressed later.
• Alberta Seniors Benefit clients who receive the benefit by mail and need it to be redirected while they are displaced from their homes can call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 between 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday to make arrangements.
• The Special Needs Assistance Program for Seniors is available to assist low-income seniors with one-time extraordinary expenses, such as household appliances, minor home repairs, clothing, etc. Call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or visit http://www.health.alberta.ca/seniors/special-needs-assistance.html for application information.

Schools

• Albertans should check with their local school board for the most up-to-date information.
• All students in Calgary who were scheduled to write diploma exams between June 24 and June 27 will receive an automatic exemption from the exams without needing to fill out an application form. However, if a student would like to write a particular diploma exam, school authorities will help facilitate that choice. 
• Calgary schools have cancelled Grade 9 provincial achievement tests scheduled between June 24 and June 27.
• Post-secondary institutions in Calgary will be closed on Monday June 24.
• Outside of Calgary, school authorities in areas in which flooding or the consequences of flooding have affected the operation of schools may also exempt students from provincial exams. Local school boards will be responsible for identifying the schools at which exemptions will apply.

Donations and Volunteering

• Donations can be made to the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-418-1111 or existing aid organizations. Only financial donations are required at this time. Please do not make non-monetary donations or bring donations to reception centers.
• To volunteer to assist with clean up efforts, call 1-866-628-6565. This is a toll-free line hosted by Samaritans Purse.

Other Information

• The most up-to-date information about affected communities is available at www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca.
• Farm flooding information
• Registries - Service Alberta has put in measures for Albertans who have driver’s licenses or motor vehicle registrations expiring in the next few days. Expiring driver’s licenses and registrations across the province will be deemed valid until evacuation orders are lifted.

Links to emergency information, community contacts and disaster recovery is available at www.alberta.ca.

The Alberta government is fully engaged in supporting the efforts of local communities and first responders. The Provincial Operations Centre (POC) is operating at Level 4, the highest level and is coordinating the efforts by the three levels of government. Key federal departments are active in the POC.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Provincial Operations Centre
Communications
Government of Alberta
780-644-4862

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.