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MD of Taber to end local state of emergency Friday evening

May 11, 2018 | 11:33 AM

MD TABER – After nearly two months under a local state of emergency after unprecedented overland flooding, the MD of Taber’s local state of emergency will officially end at 9:05 Friday night (May 11).

Administrator Derrick Krizsan says there is still considerable flooding in some areas, and about 50 miles of damaged road is closed. Some of those roads may open in the next few days or weeks. Some of them may remain closed for several months.

He’s also asking the public to be respectful of the road closures until they’re determined to be safe for travel.

Kriszan says 831 overland flooding sites were identified by municipal crews with 465 of the sites were cited as damaged infrastructure, including culverts.

The MD is in the process of applying to the province for disaster assistance, and Kriszan says some of that money could be made available to property and home owners who have uninsurable flood damage.

At this point, the cost to repair damaged infrastructure is around $1.2 million.

It’s too early to say whether agricultural crops may be affected this fall, but Krizsan notes that by this time it’s not unusual for planting operations to be completed. Right now, it’s only between 60 and 70 per cent finished.

The MD is still helping pump water out from other sites including areas near Lost Lake, and roads and intersections in the Village of Barnwell.

Krizsan says the MD of Taber worked with multiple agencies and municipalities, and they want to thank them for their help, including Alberta Emergency Management Agency, RCMP, Samaritan’s Purse, AHS, the Canadian Red Cross, Town of Vauxhall, Town of Taber, local schools, Cypress County, and the River Forecast Centre.