Advance cheques coming for flood victims

WINNIPEG — About 1,800 Manitobans who have applied for provincial disaster financial assistance will receive $500 advances as recovery efforts continue in flood-ravaged communities, Premier Wab Kinew said Friday.

The advance cheques, along with a letter that outlines the aid payment process, will be mailed out.

“Right now, our focus is on helping families recover as quickly as possible,” Kinew said. “While disaster financial assistance arrangements have existed over many years in Manitoba, these have typically been programs that roll out over months after a natural disaster occurs. What we’re doing this year is rushing to ensure that help gets to you as as soon as possible.”

Kinew said about 1,800 applications have been received. He encouraged residents to contact their insurance providers first, and said aid applications are on the province’s website.

“To these 1,800 fellow Manitobans — we have our finance department and (Emergency Measures Organization) working through the weekend to put money into your hand.”

Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak called the quick cash injection “really helpful.”

“It shows that the province is aware of the situation and is doing whatever it can,” he said. Preliminary estimates are that 1,000 homes in his town have been affected by the flooding.

There is tension in the community as people deal with the damage and worry about more precipitation.

“I woke up this morning and saw sun. That made me feel better just given the circumstances we’re in,” Bosiak said. “So, I think any good news, whether it’s sunshine, or an announcement like this, will help lift people’s spirits a little bit. We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”

Cam McIntyre, who owns Wellman Lake Lodge in Duck Mountain Provincial Park, called the quick payment of $500 a “slap in the face.”

He said that amount will barely cover the cost of the gas he bought to get supplies to his business.

“Don’t even bother sending it, it’s not worth the stamp it’s on,” he said.

He said he has lost about $100,000 in revenue because the province closed down the park, which was flooded.

The province has initiated three programs for flood relief, and $7.8 million has been advanced to 12 communities.

The premier said homeowners do not need to wait for applications to be approved before beginning repairs, provided the damage is thoroughly documented.

“As long as you’re documenting the process with photos and you’re making sure that will be included in your application, you can go ahead and start to order repairs,” Kinew said.

Christine Stevens, director of the province’s Emergency Management Organization, said payouts will be determined through individual home assessments and compensation will vary by claim.

Lance Jacobson, mayor of Swan River, said the cash is “a start,” but people need more details about the rollout of monetary support, noting some have insurance, but aren’t covered for flood damage while others have full coverage.

“There are people that have to have their electrical panel changed; that could be $4,000,” he said, noting other expenses, such as replacing a water tank or furnace, would push the price tag much higher.

“There are significant expenses,” he said. “Those are just things that will get (homes) functioning again.”

Jacobson said he believes the provincial government will make good on its promise to ensure no one is left behind as a result of the flooding.

“If a person says that they’re not going to leave any person in the province, in the Parkland, behind, then I have to trust that word that that’s going to be the case.”

He said he’s in regular contact with the premier.

On Friday, Kinew announced the launch of a joint fundraising campaign between the province and the Canadian Red Cross for flood relief.

“We are going to match this, dollar for dollar, starting with an initial allocation of $15 million,” Kinew said, adding it’s in addition to the $7.8 million.

The donated funds will be available to people who have applied for disaster assistance, but applicants will not be subject to the program’s existing eligibility criteria.

“This will be a bigger picture effort,” the premier said.

Flooding triggered by torrential rain in June devastated parts of Swan River and surrounding communities before additional rainfall weeks later inundated Swan River, Dauphin and nearby areas again, washing out roads and causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

In total, 48 communities remain under flood-related states of local emergency. Stevens said the Office of the Fire Commissioner remains deployed alongside local authorities, Manitoba’s Emergency Management Organization, Manitoba Hydro, the Canadian Armed Forces and other partners.

Stevens did not know the specific number of homes and businesses that have been damaged. She also couldn’t say how many people have been displaced, and said emergency shelters are not needed at this time due to adequate hotel capacity.

Kinew said volunteer disaster-response organization Team Rubicon is expanding its presence in the region this weekend.

“There will be five teams of 25 people from Rubicon rotating in and out of the region over the coming weeks,” he said.

He expects Team Rubicon’s deployment to continue at least until the third week of August.

Kinew said there have been 81 confirmed requests for assistance in Swan River and Swan Valley West, and volunteers are going door-to-door in those communities, as well as Dauphin.

He expects requests for assistance to increase as crews reach more residents.

“We announcing that help is here, and more help is coming,” Kinew said.

As of Friday, 101 households, representing approximately 250 individuals, from communities under mandatory evacuation orders have applied for emergency social cervices assistance. To date, nearly $15,000 has been distributed to eligible applicants.

» Winnipeg Free Press