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Application deadline approaching for 2005 southern Alberta provincial flood disaster assistance


WEBWIRE

Total payments for June 2005 flooding expected to reach $137 million

January 9, 2006, Edmonton... Residents, agricultural producers and small businesses in Alberta who faced damages from overland flooding in June 2005 have until February 3 to apply for provincial disaster assistance funding.

“We are working tirelessly to address all applications for assistance, to help Albertans get their lives back to normal,” said Rob Renner, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “I want to thank the applicants for their patience during this process. I also want to thank municipalities and individual evaluators who have shown exceptional dedication throughout this unprecedented recovery program.”

The southern Alberta disaster recovery program was announced by Renner on June 9, 2005, with $55 million initially allotted, and then expanded on June 21 to include all additional communities affected by the flooding, including Edmonton and all communities south of Edmonton that are west of or border the Queen Elizabeth II Highway. All municipalities along the Red Deer River and North Saskatchewan River systems from the Queen Elizabeth II Highway corridor to the Saskatchewan border were also included.

To date, 10,636 residential, small business, and agricultural applications have been processed with payments totalling more than $27 million. In addition, nearly $29 million has been paid out so far for municipal infrastructure and emergency operations costs. Total compensation is expected to reach $137 million, with the majority going toward further municipal recovery costs. The disaster assistance funding for the June 2005 flooding is the largest disaster recovery program ever launched in Alberta. The previous record was 5,503 applications for the 2004 flooding in the Greater Edmonton Area.

The provincial disaster recovery program covers damage for uninsurable losses. Those who have not yet registered for compensation should contact their local municipal office or call 1-888-671-1111 toll free. Applications will only be accepted until February 3.

The program covers damage for which insurance is not readily and reasonably available. For example, insurance policies traditionally cover damage from causes such as sewer backup; however, insurance coverage is not available for flooding resulting from water entering through basement windows. Funding for the program is available through the province’s Sustainability Fund, which can be used for disaster assistance.

Details of the disaster recovery program are available on the Municipal Affairs website at www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca.



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