Disaster Recovery Programs
General Program Information | Frequently Asked Questions
Disaster recovery programs provide financial assistance for municipalities and their citizens who incur uninsurable loss and damage as a result of a disastrous event. These programs are an effective way of assisting municipalities by ensuring that the costs of disasters are shared by all Albertans, and whenever possible, by all Canadians through cost sharing arrangements with the federal government.
A state of local emergency does not have to be declared in order to receive financial assistance under a disaster recovery program.
The Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) is administered by EMA (Emergency Management Alberta). EMA is a branch of Alberta Municipal Affairs. Alberta Regulation 51/94 of the Alberta Disaster Services Act allows the province to provide disaster recovery assistance to residents, small business, agriculture operations, and provincial and municipal governments if the event meets the criteria as outlined in the regulation.
· The event is considered extraordinary.
· Insurance is not reasonably or readily available.
· There is evidence that the event is wide spread.
Rainfall
The 1 – 25 year return period is used in determining extraordinary criteria for rainfall in urban areas.
The 1 – 50 year return period is used in determining extraordinary criteria for rainfall in rural areas.
Stream flow
The criteria for steam flow are based on a 1 –100 year rate of return regardless of what contributed to the high stream flow.
Ice Jams
Each ice jam is reviewed on an individual basis. Data, collected by Alberta Environment on general winter and ice conditions and extraordinary conditions (colder winter, rapid melt, thick and strong ice) that prevailed at the breakup in the vicinity of the site will be reviewed.