The City of Red Deer will apply for provincial disaster aid for flood victims after it’s believed several hundred homes were damaged due to heavy rainfall on July 12 and 13.
Karen Mann, emergency management co-ordinator for the city, said the city sent its application on Wednesday to the provincial government, requesting compensation through the Disaster Recovery Program.
Mann said the city has been inundated with phone calls from residents who suffered flooding.
“We’re estimating upwards of 500-plus homes were affected by flooding,” said Mann.
Homes affected have been scattered through the city.
Mann said the city will have to wait and see if it qualifies for funding and if it does, residents will learn how they can have their claims processed. Those who have been informed that their claim is uninsurable are urged to get a letter from their insurance company stating this, before calling the city at 403-342-8258.
Other communities are in a similar boat.
The Town of Lacombe has received a number of phone calls from residents who say their homes are flooded. Businesses are also urged to call the town if their flooding is uninsured. All invoices and bills for repairs should be retained in the event a Disaster Recovery program is approved for Lacombe. The town is in the process of filing to the province on behalf of the municipality, small businesses and residents.
Lacombe County is taking calls from residents who have been affected by flooding during the middle of July, and approximate damages. The amount of calls will determine whether it will apply for government financial assistance.
Two intersections in Penhold were flooded out due to heavy rains in mid July.
Penhold Mayor Julia King said they are trying to ensure “everything is flowing” so it doesn’t happen again.
She hasn’t received confirmation with administration as to whether the town would apply for provincial aid on behalf of flood victims. As far as she knows, residents are talking to their insurers right now.
Red Deer County spokeswoman Donna Brinkworth said they’ve had fewer than 10 phone calls related to flooding, three of which involved sewer backup.
At this point, the county is asking people to call their insurance company to see if their claim is insurable and if not, call the county so a list of names can be built.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com