Alberta flood recovery could take 10 years, says premier

Evacuation orders for most homes across Calgary have been lifted, while Alberta Premier Alison Redford has warned the provincial clean-up effort could take up to 10 years. Redford, who addressed media Monday, said the flooding would have a huge effect on the provincial budget.

The premier announced that the province had approved a $1-billion preliminary emergency fund to deal with the funding. Part of that will be for "cash cards" for residents who have not been able to return home yet. That funding will start to be handed out in the next week or two, she said.

"We talk about responding, we talk about renewal and we talk about rebuilding." Redford said the province is now in the renewal phase. (Cbc)