Snowstorms force evacuations in southern Alberta

The Canadian Red Cross has set up two shelters in southern Alberta to help residents of an aboriginal reserve who have been forced to leave their homes due to flooded basements and power outages from several recent snowstorms.

The agency said about 200 homes on the Blood Tribe reserve in southeastern Alberta have been affected.

About 1,200 people live on the reserve near Stand Off, about 180 kilometres south of Calgary.

The Alberta branch of the national relief organization opened two shelters on Friday to help house and feed more than 100 people who've been forced out of their homes by the poor living conditions.

About 50 cots have been set up at a human resources building in Stand Off, and 50 more are located at the Moses Lake Shelter and Soup Kitchen on the southern edge of the reserve, near Cardston.

Leila Daoud, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross, said they're working in conjunction with several Blood Tribe organizations on the relief effort.

She said several people who have decided to stay in their homes are coming to the shelters for a hot meal and a shower, adding the facilities will stay open at least until Monday.