Prince George, B.C. - The declaration of a state of local emergency, was first issued December 11, expired this afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

Risks associated with the ice jam and flooding situation that has lasted more than two months have fallen to a level where the City of Prince George decided not to ask for a renewal of the declaration.

Recovery efforts have begun in earnest with residents of the 71 homes affected by the flooding. On Tuesday, the Emergency Operations Centre scaled back evacuation orders to evacuation alerts for 24 homes in the Pulp Mill Road and River Road areas, to allow those residents back into their houses. A further 47 homes have been under flood evacuation alert for most of the 66-day period. Evacuation alerts for both homes and businesses expired with the declaration this afternoon.

Homes will be evaluated by provincial officials over the next several days to see whether or not they are habitable. Residents who continue to be displaced because of damage to their homes will be able to claim costs through the Provincial Emergency Program.