Alberta flood-area building rules may change, says Redford

The Alberta government may adopt new rules to deal with building in flood-prone areas, Premier Alison Redford said Thursday.

• Listen: Political analyst weighs in on the premier's actions in High River

"It doesnt matter where you live in this province, we cannot continue, as a provincial government, to say to people, Its okay to build ina floodwayits not the right decision," said Redford.

"We think that if people have the information with respect to that theyll make constructive choices, take responsibility for their life and move ahead."

The premier insisted decisions should be made quickly so residents have the information before rebuilding.

Funding to rebuild

Redford said the provincehas been clear from the start that its disaster recovery program will provide funding foruninsurable losses.

• Calgary flood victims eligible for up to $10K

The province pledged up to $10,000 for flood victims to rebuildhomes and lives, but says there could be more in the future.

"The $10,000 is an initial payment," said Redford. "People should not assume that is all they are going to get."

She said the province handed out more than 36,000 prepaid debit cards to flood victims around the province, worth a total of$62 million.

High River recovery

Redford also addressed recovery efforts in High River, Alta. one of thecommunities that was hit hardest by the June 20 flooding.

• Boil water advisory lifted in most parts of High River, Alta.

The provincial state of emergency ends Friday, but Redford said thetownwill still be under a local state of emergency as it rebuilds.

Much work is still needed, but the local government can now lead the effort, she said.

"I'm very confident moving forward that tomorrow morning, people can continue to know that all the systems are in place that are going to ensure that everything carries on as effectively as it has before."

Rebuilding underway

The Town of High River was also given $50 million to keep essential services up and running.

Redford said 90 per cent of High River residents are now backhome.

• High River residents return to flood-ravaged homes

She saidthe roughly 20,000 tonnesofgarbageremoved fromflood-damage houses is equivalent to the amount taken out of the community in the last 10 years.

Associate Minister Rick Fraser and other provincial officials appointed to flood recoverywill remain on the ground inHigh River to provide supportto the town in its rebuilding efforts.

Volunteers still needed

Redford said there is still a critical need forvolunteers to help clean up the flood-ravaged community just south of Calgary.

Roughly 15,000 volunteers have responded to the call so far, according totheMission Possible organization that has been on the ground in High River since July 1.

• Volunteers head to High River to help flood victims

The group says it is waiting for a further assessment of homes affected by flooding to begin a new phase of recovery. Many of thegroup's volunteers are also heading to Siksika Nationeast of Calgary today, which was also devastated by flooding.

Members are currently helping companies collect the garbageremoved fromhomes, which litters the streets of the community. Volunteers are asked to report to the High River rodeo grounds to check in and receive a safety orientation.

Insurance apology

Major insurance companies continue to have a change of heart, after earlier rejecting residential flood claims.

• TD Insurance to cover sewer backup after flood victim anger

The latest, AMA Insurance, took out a full-page newspaper ad today to apologize to its customers. It says it is reversing some of its claim decisions.

High River homeowner Deborah Spence is relieved AMA Insurance has softened its stance. Her family learned yesterday afternoon that the company had reconsidered and will now cover them for damage caused by a sewer backup.

"It's an absolute disaster that the province has never seen the likes of," she said. "That was the basis on which they took a closer look and have approved us for sewer backup."

Otherinsurers to recant includethe Royal Bank of Canadaand TD Insurance.

Provincial financial support

The province committed aninitial $1 billionto support the recovery efforts and provide financial support to municipalities and First Nations that experienced uninsurable infrastructure damage. That money is also to cover costsincurred for emergency operations and response.

There were 28 local states of emergency in place at the height of the flood. That numberhas now dropped to six.

The province says disaster recovery programcentres, whichopened rapidlyin communities across southern Alberta after the flood devastation, will remain open toaddress the needs of every flood victim.

The disaster recovery centres in High River located at the Welcome Centre at the High River rodeo grounds and Foothills Youth Foundation are open until July 16.