Disaster Assistance For Nova Scotians Affected by Flooding
EMERGENCY MEASURES ORGANIZATION--Disaster Assistance For Nova Scotians Affected by Flooding
Nova Scotia's Emergency Measures Organization announced today, April 1, that it has established a disaster financial assistance program for those who suffered uninsurable losses during the heavy rains and resulting flooding throughout the province this week.
"This program is being established in strict accordance with the province's disaster financial assistance policy," said Tim Olive, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act. "This policy defines the level of eligible costs which must be reached before the government becomes involved in disaster financial assistance."
Eligible costs associated with the weather system are expected to exceed the threshold of $1 per capita, or about $960,000, stipulated in the policy. The total extent of damages is unknown at this point because damage assessments are ongoing.
The policy allows for modest assistance to individuals to help restore primary residences and to small businesses that have been placed in jeopardy because of uninsurable damage caused by a disaster. Assistance is also available to help municipalities in restoring essential public services to a pre-disaster condition.
Eligible costs are determined in strict accordance with the criteria laid out in federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. These arrangements provide for the provinces and the federal government to share the costs.
Insurable damages are not covered under this program, regardless of whether the property was insured or not. Claims for assistance are subject to a $1,000 deductible and a $50,000 maximum per applicant. Claims under $1,000 will not be considered.
Information on how to obtain applications will be advertised through local media in the near future.
Residents in the affected areas who require information on emergency services -- such as shelter, food or emergency repairs
- should contact their local municipal office:
In Western Nova Scotia:
Annapolis County -- 902-532-2193
Bridgewater -- 902-543-4651
Digby County -- 902-245-5885
Town of Digby -- 902-245-4769
Hantsport -- 902-684-3211
Kentville -- 902-679-2500
Kings County -- 902-690-6191
Lunenburg County -- 902-543-8181
Middleton -- 902-825-4841
Queens County -- 902-354-3455
West Hants -- 902-798-8391
In Central Nova Scotia:
Colchester -- 902-897-3164
Cumberland -- 902-667-2313
East Hants -- 902-758-2299
Halifax Regional Municipality -- 902-490-4000
Oxford -- 902-447-3028
Trenton -- 902-752-5311
Information on Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements is available on the Emergency Measures Organization's Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/emo .