Deadline Closing In For Disaster Financial Assistance

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – Today is supposed to be the deadline for flood victims in Prince George to file a claim under the Disaster Financial Assistance program.  So far, about 40 residents have done so.  “We think that will be the final number” says Debbie Scarborough, Director of Flood Recovery for the City of Prince George.

Scarborough says two more families are expected to go back to their homes by the end of this week another family will head back home by the end of March.  That will leave another half dozen families who will be waiting for the big thaw before they can return to their homes.

Some, says Scarborough, find themselves in a catch 22 situation. “You need money to make the repairs, but you can’t get that money until there’s a full damage estimate, and  you don’t know the full damage estimate because there’s still a lot of  thawing  to be done.”

Scarborough says residents have been putting family and friends to work to help rip out that which needs to be replaced.  What is really surprising to Scarborough is that not one contractor, retired or otherwise, has offered to help reconnect services at no charge.  “I suppose it may be because everyone here is busy, but I do think it is strange no one has offered to help” says Scarborough.

The Recovery Director has made contact with Mennonite Disaster Services  which will   provide the labour free of charge once the  necessary materials are  supplied, and  the Samaritan’s Purse,  another  group which will provide clean up services at no charge,  is reviewing  an application filed by  Scarborough.

For some families it will be late May or June before they can go back home

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