DRP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
In June 2023, the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers flooded parts of Woodlands County, along with Edson and Yellowhead County.
Woodlands County has submitted its application to the Government of Alberta for its Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) which has been approved.
Funding is available for affected residents and businesses who suffered uninsurable loss or damages to their home or business caused by overland flooding during the events from June 16 - 23, 2023.
DRP applications can be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/disaster-recovery-programs
Application deadline is February 26, 2024.
There are two ways to apply for funding:
Apply online
- Log-in to your Alberta.ca Account. If you do not have an account, you can create one by clicking on the Create Account button on the page.
- Apply using the Disaster Financial Assistance Portal.
Apply by mail or email
- Download the form that applies to you at https://www.alberta.ca/disaster-recovery-programs
- Submit the form by
- Email: drp.info@gov.ab.ca
- Mail: Alberta Emergency Management Agency
5th Floor, Terrace Building
9515 107 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2C1
View "Disaster Financial Support" tab below for more information.
A list of support services and other resources are listed below.
Questions? Contact Woodlands County,
Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 4:30pm (closed noon to 1pm):
1-888-870-6315
Garbage Bins - Located throughout Impacted Areas
Refuse containers have been placed in the following areas to support property owners with post-flood clean up.
Containers will be available through Sunday, July 16 (picked up on Monday, July 17)
- Flats Rd
- Old Ferry East
- Cutbanks Rd West
- Cutbanks Rd East 5
- Twp Rd 595 (west of Town boundary near West Mtn Rd)
- Fort Assiniboine
Landfill - Fees Waived
*Extended* Woodlands County has extended FREE use of the Whitecourt Regional Landfill to flood-affected property owners, through Monday, September 5, 2023.
Until July 17, 2023, property owners impacted by the flooding incident are able to access the Whitecourt Regional Landfill, without cost .
For hours of operation and location visit: https://woodlands.ab.ca/p/regional-landfill.
Development Permits - Fees Waived
Development Permit fees for residential landowner parcels that experienced loss or damage to structures which need replacement have been waived until November 31, 2023.
Types of structure that might be impact include (but are not limited to):
- Accessory structures such as decks, sheds, shops/garages, cabins;
- Agricultural Buildings - pole sheds, horse shelters, greenhouses; and
- Dwellings such as single family dwelling unit, manufactured/modular home or mobile homes.
To learn more about Development Permits, visit: https://woodlands.ab.ca/p/development
Flood Considerations GuideDisaster Financial Support
The Government of Alberta provides financial assistance to homeowners, tenants and small businesses that experience uninsurable loss or damage caused by a disaster or emergency.
Once a municipality has been approved for the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP), residents can apply to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency within 90 days of the approval.
The Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) is the last recourse for assistance after a disaster. Homeowners must consult with their insurance provider and any other available assistance first. If insurance is considered readily and reasonably available at the time of a disaster event, costs associated with insurable loss and damage are not eligible for DRP assistance.
The DRP does not cover all types of damage or loss and does not cover the full cost of replacement.
Information & Resources
Disaster Financial Assistance and Recovery Support
Disaster Recovery Program - Insurance and Disasters
Disaster Recovery Program Changes Video
2021 Disaster Recovery Program Changes
2021 Private Sector Guidelines
Fact Sheets
Residents and Residential Tenants Fact Sheet and Checklist
Small Businesses and Landlords Fact Sheet and Checklist
Social Supports
Red Cross Alberta
Emergency and Disaster Services
Call: 1-888-800-6493
Income Support Contact Centre (ISCC)
Alberta Supports - Emergency Financial Assistance
Albertans can call ISCC, toll-free at 1-866-644-5135 to access this support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Emergency Financial Assistance from SCSS (different from evacuation payment)
Alberta Supports Contact Centre
7:30 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays.
1-877-644-9992
Email: css.ascc@gov.ab.ca
Agriculture Supports
Agriculture Financial Services Corp
1-877-899-2372
The Agriculture Financial Services Corp provides crop insurance for planted crops, pastures, and forage land. Contact the Agriculture Financial Services Corp for crop insurance options.
Disaster Recovery Program
Connect with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-888-671-1111
Email: drp.info@gov.ab.ca
Silt & Debris Clean Up
Silt & debris may have washed up on your property from the flooding.
Note: putting objects, silt, and other debris washed ashore back into a river requires authorization/approval from the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas.
For more information about the approval process, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-environmental-protection-and-enhancement-act-approvals.aspx
Under Section 1 - Interpretation of the Water Act, “activity” means,
(i) Placing, constructing, operating, maintaining, removing or disturbing works, maintaining, removing or disturbing ground, vegetation or other material, or carrying out any undertaking, including but not limited to groundwater exploration, in or on any land, water, or water body, that
A. Alters, may alter or may become capable of altering the flow or level of water, whether temporarily or permanently, included by not limited to water in a water body, by any means, including drainage,
B. Changes, may change or may become capable of changing the location of water or the direction of flow of water, including water in a water body, by drainage or otherwise,
C. Causes, may cause or may become capable of causing the siltation of water or the erosion of any bed or shore of a water body, or
D. Causes, may cause or may become capable of causing an effect on the aquatic environment;