Drumheller and area residents will have a chance to hear more about the province’s flood preparedness next Wednesday at an information session.
    Representatives from the province will be at Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to talk about the lessons learned from last spring’s flooding  and steps they are taking to prepare for the future.
    “Residents in flood-affected communities have expressed their concern regarding flood risk and emergency preparedness with the spring melt fast approaching. Together with our local partners, we will bring the latest information and updates directly to those who need it most,” said Ken Hughes, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
    Experts from the Government of Alberta and the local municipality will answer questions about the upcoming spring melt, river forecasting, emergency preparedness, regional flood mitigation projects, as well as local recovery and mitigation.
    The session is informal and there is no need to register. Residents can drop in throughout the evening to learn about plans for the future.
    This presentation will be similar to others that are being held in the province. The most recent scheduled presentations are in Bragg Creek, Exshaw and Sundre.  The Drumheller presentation will take into account local concerns such as dam operations.
    Currently the Town of Drumheller has submitted a report on mitigation to the province for review. Stantec Consulting has been hired to provide an engineering assessment and recommendations for flood mitigation options for the Red Deer River basin.
    According to the Government of Alberta flood mitigation website, an engineering study is in progress as well as the construction of a permanent berm and drainage ditch to protect the Drumheller Health Centre.