Residents of Hay River and the KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation reserve can now qualify for extra money to help cover the cost of damages from MaySA国际影视传媒檚 devastating floods, the GNWT announced on June 28.

Under the new rules of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 Disaster Assistance Policy (DAP), the highest amount paid out for the replacement of a home or business destroyed by floods is being increased to $240,000 from $100,000. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs Shane Thompson provided the update at a news conference announcing the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 approach to disaster assistance.

The government will cover the first $240,000 of repair costs and then half of the remainder of the claim, up to a maximum of $600,000.

In addition, those who qualify can receive an extra $75,000 for flood mitigation measures SA国际影视传媒� such as raising a home or installing water-resistant building materials SA国际影视传媒� but they SA国际影视传媒渕ust be pre-approved before the work begins,SA国际影视传媒� said Thompson.

The changes were discussed on June 27 at a community meeting in Hay River attended by about 100 residents.

SA国际影视传媒淲e want to ensure that all flooding impacted residents and businesses can get back into their homes and back to business as soon as possible,SA国际影视传媒� Thompson said. SA国际影视传媒淲e recognize that many residents are under a significant amount of stress and our thoughts are with them during this challenging time.SA国际影视传媒�

The Disaster Assistance Policy was started in 1981 to help residents and businesses deal with damages or losses from natural disasters not covered by insurance.

SA国际影视传媒淣ow weSA国际影视传媒檙e treating it as a live document,SA国际影视传媒� said Thompson. SA国际影视传媒淓very year, as disasters happen or donSA国际影视传媒檛 happen, weSA国际影视传媒檒l look at our policy and see how we can better improve.SA国际影视传媒�

MACASA国际影视传媒檚 Deputy Minister Laura Gareau said the recent changes are being made SA国际影视传媒渢o address gaps and inefficienciesSA国际影视传媒� that caused frustration with the rebuilding and recovery process after the 2021 flood season in Fort Simpson.

SA国际影视传媒淭he basic principles of the policy did not change with the amendments,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

The deadline to submit claims for disaster assistance is Dec. 31, 2023.

In addition to the DAP, two federal programs will provide disaster recovery and financial assistance to South Slave flood victims this year, said Gareau, including the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), which SA国际影视传媒減rovides up to 100 per cent reimbursement.SA国际影视传媒�

Repairs and replacement of property damaged by flooding on the KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation reserve are being handled by Indigenous Services CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP).

Residents and small business owners are being asked to register with MACA. As of Tuesday, a total of 408 residents and small businesses in both the KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation and the Town of Hay River had done so, said Gareau. About 360 damage assessments had been completed, she said, and about 130 had been sent to recipients.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are aware that there are some structures that are likely damaged beyond repair,SA国际影视传媒� said Gareau.

About three quarters of the assessments show an average of $120,000 in damages while the rest have damage over $240,000, SA国际影视传媒渢hough it is important to note that these are averages,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

To help residents navigate the flood recovery process, three GNWT officials known as pathfinders are available to help. Pathfinders in Hay River can now be found in the MACA office and through the KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation Administration Office.

Regarding their availability Gareau said they were SA国际影视传媒渄ealing with a large volume of people and files. Every single one is experiencing a unique circumstance.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e are assessing whether or not we need to put more pathfinders on the ground,SA国际影视传媒� she continued. SA国际影视传媒淎nd weSA国际影视传媒檒l definitely do so if we if we need to.SA国际影视传媒�

In addition, about 50 spill sites contaminated with oil or fuel have been found in the disaster area and the GNWT will be paying to clean up the sites if needed, she said.

A preliminary assessment by Glenn Smith, Hay RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 senior administrative officer, found the unprecedented flooding caused about $22 million in damages to municipal infrastructure while mitigation work will cost an additional $30 million.

At a council meeting June 28, he called the changes to the DAP SA国际影视传媒済ood news overall for the community.SA国际影视传媒�

However, as there is no limit to how much disaster assistance a municipal government can receive from the GNWT, Smith said he was SA国际影视传媒渁 little concerned with some of the language thatSA国际影视传媒檚 been expressed.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭he administration is seeking clarity from MACA on the impact of the announcement,SA国际影视传媒� he continued.

Flood mapping underway

Workers with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources arrived in both communities to map the extent of the floods SA国际影视传媒渁s soon as it was safe for them to go in,SA国际影视传媒� said Gareau.

Using data collected from government workers and an external contractor, MACA will be releasing a flood mapping report to help affected communities guide the repair of damage caused by the natural disaster.

SA国际影视传媒淲e will provide that information to both communities,SA国际影视传媒� said Gareau. SA国际影视传媒淭hey are the ones who will be making decisions about what the impact is for their community bylaws and their zoning bylaws.SA国际影视传媒�