This release was issued under a previous government.

The floods that began on June 20, 2013, affected more than 100,000 Albertans in 30 communities. Since the flooding began:

  • The Alberta government has provided more than $191 million in disaster assistance to municipalities and First Nations to begin rebuilding.
  • The Government of Alberta distributed nearly $70 million in immediate support as preloaded debit cards or cheques to more than 56,000 Albertans forced from their homes.
  • The province has committed $216 million in Flood Recovery Erosion Control grants to help rebuild and reinforce river banks in flood-impacted communities; 160 projects have been approved at a total of just over $200 million.
  • The province has approved $600 million for mitigation projects between 2014 and 2017, including $325 million for community-level mitigation.
  • Nearly 10,500 Albertans have applied for funding through the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP), including more than 1,500 small businesses. Payments totaling $71.5 million have been issued.
  • Of the eligible homeowners who live in the floodway, 107 have expressed interest in the relocation program. Of those, 77 homeowners have entered into agreements to sell their properties, valued at $81 million. The deadline to express interest has been extended to August 30, 2014. Homeowners who choose not to relocate and have accepted DRP assistance will not be eligible for DRP support in the event of future floods.
  • Of the 985 kilometres of provincial roads closed due to flood damage, 909 kilometres (92 per cent) have reopened. To date, the province has committed more than $100 million over three years for flood mitigation projects for the province’s most vulnerable transportation infrastructure.
  • All health services impacted by the flood have been restored and $25 million has been spent to support mental health initiatives and general well-being of flood-impacted Albertans.
  • More than 80 schools were impacted by the floods, and all but two – Elbow Park in Calgary and Holy Spirit Academy in High River – will be open in 2014, and $20 million in mitigation funding has been approved for eight schools in High River and Calgary.
  • The province has allotted $81 million to restore damaged recreation trails and pathways, day use areas and campgrounds in the Alberta parks system, and reduce the risk of future flood damage. Progress will be updated online.
  • The Neighbourhood Outreach Initiative has visited 4275 homes to inform flood-affected residents about community and province-led programs.
  • On April 29 the province held the Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation. The Calgary event was attended by more than 600 people, with 500 more watching a live stream. The symposium has been archived online. This was a follow-up to the symposium held in October 2013.
  • There were over 1,300 nominations to the Heroes of the Flood program, which recognized the contributions of Albertans who went above and beyond to help family, friends, neighbours and even strangers recover from this disaster.

Track Alberta’s progress from the last update.