Barrhead declares 'agricultural disaster'

The county of Barrhead has declared an "agricultural disaster" after three rivers in the county caused wide-spread flooding this week.

As much as 8,000 acres of land is estimated to be under water after more than 150 mm of rain was dumped on the region.

The flooding has affected pasture lands and crops growing in the area, forcing the county to request financial help from Alberta as well as the federal government.

There is no estimate of the losses suffered by farmers, but officials hope provincial programs will help to cover some of the losses for agrictulrual producers.

Farmers and land owners have been advised to take photos of the damage in their areas for record-keeping. Insurance could also cover part of the losses.