Applications For Flood Assistance Flowing In

By 250 News

With the exception of the community of Vanderhoof, the clock is ticking towards the deadline for those who hoped to get financial assistance from the Province for damage caused by the floods during the 2007 spring freshet.

The deadline for most applications for Disaster Financial Assistance is one month from today, September 11^th.

The town of Vanderhoof is the exception. 

Although the Regional District of Bulkley - Nechako was one of 14 communities named  as eligible for assistance,  the town of Vanderhoof  will have its own time line. “They will have an extension” says Provincial Emergency Program Director of Operations Jim Whyte Vanderhoof just  lifted its evacuation alert last Wednesday, and won’t be able to fully assess the damages for another couple of weeks when the ground water levels  drop and basements have been pumped out. Whyte says  his team will head to Vanderhoof “We are going to organize a public meeting and  explain the process for applying for Disaster Financial Assistance, we will have forms  on hand,  and we will take an Assessor to that meeting.  If there aren’t too many affected, the Assessor may be able to conduct a preliminary assessment of damages while we are there.” 

The public meeting will likely take place in a couple of weeks.

The community of Vanderhoof can also apply for assistance “The community could apply for financial assistance to repair damage to things like the water system or the sewer system.”  The damage has to be  to something tangible, for instance, the community could  not apply for  compensation for loss of tourism dollars because the Riverview Park was underwater.

 (at right,  the boat launch  picnic area in Terrace  during the  Skeena flood.)

So far, about 150 applications have been received.  Of that, 115  are  from  people in Terrace who  suffered the  onslaught of the Skeena River.  The program covers up to 80 per cent of an accepted claim over $1,000, to a maximum of $300,000.

Before applying for Disaster Financial Assistance, individuals should check with their insurer to find out if their insurance will cover the damages.

 DFA application forms and more information about the program are available at www.pep.bc.ca or by calling toll-free 1-888-257-4777.

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