The Alberta government says that massive flooding in the southern parts of the province is no longer a 1 in 100 year event and is asking homeowners in risky areas to consider relocating.

Doug Griffiths, the chair of the Ministerial Flood Recovery Task Force, says the province is looking to make crucial decisions that will provide safety for the province and citizens.

He says that the province will be taking steps to support those who choose to rebuild and also help those who are willing to relocate to less risky areas.

However, the province is warning that the offer won't be the same the next time the river rises.

“The disaster recovery program will only provide one-time funding for homeowners in flood fringes who choose not to implement flood mitigation measures and to those who choose to rebuild in floodways. These homes will not be eligible for disaster dollars in the case of future flooding,” Griffiths said.

He says that there will also be funding available to help people relocate to areas outside of flood-risk zones.

“There will obviously be significant and extensive questions concerning the implementation of these policy directions. Our government has made good progress in flood-mapping municipalities most prone to flooding, and that work continues.”

You can check the province’s flood risk map to see if you live in one of the specified risk areas.

If you do live in one of those zones, you can rebuild your home with compensation from the government, but if you stay, you won't be eligible for future help the next time there is a flood.

If you decide you want to leave, the government is willing to help relocate and rebuild your home.

For those who live in 'flood fringe' areas, they can rebuild with disaster assistance, but you must take flood-proofing measures to protect your home.

If you don't take advantage of the flood proofing, you will not qualify for future disaster relief.

The provincial government says it will discuss the move with those towns impacted by the decision over the next few weeks.

According to the province, the flood policy is similar to the current policies of federal flood assistance programs, as well as Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

The government says it will introduce legislation this fall to forbid municipalities from approving new developments in floodways, and it says anyone whose property is in a floodway will have it noted on their land title.

"We want to give Albertans with flood-damaged homes the information they need to make choices to get their lives back on track," Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths said in a news release.

"We also want to ensure we're spending responsibly and doing everything we can to prevent flood damage like this from happening again."

The province says land that's made available by Albertans moving out of flood risk areas would be used for municipal flood mitigation infrastructure or for recreational use such as picnic areas, parks, cycling and hiking paths.

Provincial Distress Line 403-266-4357.

(With files from The Canadian Press)