EDMONTON – One person from High River remains unaccounted for following the flooding crisis in southern Alberta.
In an update Thursday afternoon, RCMP said the Emergency Operations Centre in High River and RCMP members are able to confirm that there is only one person from High River that has not been located.
Officials ask all evacuated persons to make sure they have registered with the reception centres so that everyone can be accounted for.
The RCMP says, since the flood started on June 20th, the number of people unaccounted for had been as high as 25. As those who have been evacuated register with the various reception centres, the number has gradually declined. Officials say, currently, there is still one person missing.
The RCMP continues its work in High River to protect property and maintain a safe perimeter of the town so the service providers can prepare for the safe return of residents.
Three people breached the perimeter on Wednesday night in an attempt to get into the evacuated area, but were intercepted by officers. The people were arrested and could face charges.
In an update Thursday morning, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) said there are still 18 local states of emergency across the province, and a high number of evacuees.
“High River remains the significant focus of the province, and we’re working with the leadership of the town to assist in their re-entry planning and the managing the evacuees and getting them into good accommodations,” said AEMA spokesperson David Galea.
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“We are aware that there are still residents that have not evacuated the town, or complied with the evacuation order. We have concerns for their safety and encourage them to evacuate immediately.”
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For High River, the focus of the provincial team is the re-entry of residents and appropriate accommodation for people who have been evacuated.
Also on Thursday, High River was given new evacuation options and $50 million in cash from the province to help pay for emergency response and recovery costs, following devastating floods in southern Alberta last week.
“High River has been the hardest hit in the recent flooding and we want to make sure the town has the resources necessary to pay for the costs related to this unprecedented disaster,” said Rick Fraser, Associate Minister of Regional Recovery and Reconstruction. “This is cash deposited directly into the town’s bank account so it can cover the costs it is facing.”
And now residents in the evacuation centres are being given a new option: to move to interim housing at the University of Lethbridge. Details on bus transportation are available from reception centres in Nanton, Okotoks and Blackie.
In addition, residents affected by the flooding can call the Government of Alberta call centre at 310-4455 for recovery information.
When it comes to pets, the Town of High River Animal Control is leading a task force to rescue and reunite pets with their families, and have saved 430 as of Thursday afternoon.
The $50 million in funding is part of the $1 billion in emergency funding approved by the Alberta government to help individuals and communities recover from the floods.
In a news release, the province said the money is for the Town of High River to use towards costs being incurred by the municipal government.
The government said funding for other municipalities is being reviewed and will be finalized in the coming days.
Individual residents in High River affected by the flooding will be able to apply for separate disaster recovery funding in the coming weeks.
Residents can also access pre-loaded debit cards – $1,250 per adult and $500 per child – Thursday to help cover immediate needs. High River residents are the first priority to receive such cards, but people who have not evacuated their homes are not eligible.
Eligibility criteria and distribution plans have been finalized. For more information, visit the government’s website.
The following photos have been provided by the Town of High River:
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