Westlock County has been approved for $4.87 million of Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) funding for the 2016 overland flood.
Alberta Municipal Affairs approved the county’s application Nov. 7 for last year’s severe rainfall that plagued businesses and residents on Aug. 22 and 23.
County chief administrative officer Leo Ludwig said the water flooded basements and damaged private property, infrastructure and roads.
“What we asked is for the government to set up a recovery program fund so that not only can the municipality make specific claims, but anyone with property in the municipality that had damage falls under that umbrella application,” he said. “They would have to make their own specific claim but at least then the program is established that allows them to make application.”
Ludwig didn’t expect an Alberta Emergency Management Agency application centre to open, as was done for the town in November, given the fact fewer residents were affected.
However, he said residents could come to the county office to pick up an application, but more details on when that would be available has to yet to be determined.
“We’ll get some forms from the province and we’ll have them available here,” he said. “We’ll get that information in the next week or so and we’ll put that up on our website.”
Reeve Lou Hall encouraged those affected to apply.
“Take advantage of it,” she said. “Get information on it and take advantage of it if they feel it’s something they need to look into.”
The county’s application for $3 million DRP funding for the heavy precipitation between July 24, 2017 and Sept. 23, 2017 is still under review.
“The moisture has affected county-wide roads, creating hazardous conditions for the travelling public,” the application stated. “Key local roads throughout the county have suffered extreme degradation due to repeated severe rainstorms.”
The application went on to explain that the heavy precipitation in the fall of 2016 soaked local roads and ditches while unseasonably warm weather in January and February 2017 caused spring-like melting.
That was then followed by several freeze-and-thaw cycles that weakened the roads further. Regular rains in the spring and summer prevented roads from drying and hardening properly, so road repairs had to be suspended for the season.
Representatives from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) were in town Nov. 21-22 at the Heritage Building to help people impacted by the Aug. 22, 2016 flood.
Wendy Bryson, the AEMA program application centre lead estimated that 40 applicants had applied as of 4 p.m. Nov. 22. The centre was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 21 and from noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 22
“We had a big rush first thing in the morning yesterday and a rush at noon, but then things slowed down,” she said.
“People have been really patient, especially considering how long they had to wait for the program to be approved.”
Applicants needed to bring photo identification, proof of residency or home ownership, any rejection letters from their insurance company detailing the damage and any information concerning the damage to property and what items were lost in the flood.
“We’ll take all the info you can bring,” said Bryson, who noted that applicants had clearly done their homework.
“Everyone out here is very informed. People had all the needed documentation, so it’s been fairly seamless.”
Lauren Arscott, press secretary for Municipal Affairs, explained that anyone who missed the opportunity to visit the program application centre has until Jan. 25 to apply to the program.
Over the Christmas holidays, applications can be sent via fax to 780-644-1044. Applicants that are unable to make the Jan. 25 deadline for exceptional reasons, like medical issues, should get in contact with the AEMA’s call centre at 780-422-9000.
She added that the department’s goal was to connect applicants with case workers within 20 days. Assuming an applicant has all their paperwork in order, they can expect to receive funding within 90 days.
Application forms can be picked up from the Town of Westlock office, or downloaded from the AEMA website at http://www.aema.alberta.ca/.
