Financial Assistance for Families Affected by Flooding

People in Colchester and Pictou counties will get the help they need to repair their homes and businesses after flooding caused by rain Sept. 22-24.

Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker, on behalf of Ross Landry, Minister responsible for Emergency Management, announced details of a disaster financial assistance plan today, Dec. 7.

"We are introducing a disaster financial assistance plan to help families, small business owners and communities begin to recover," said Mr. Parker. "This flooding has created great difficulty for some families, and we don't want them to have to try to deal with the problems alone."

The program provides basic recovery assistance to homeowners, business owners and not-for-profit organizations affected by floods from heavy rain.

Stewart Cornelius, of West River, Pictou Co., watched as part of his driveway was washed away.

"Our community has sustained a fair amount of damage from flooding," said Mr. Cornelius. "The creation of this financial assistance plan is what many in Pictou County need to continue with their normal lives. I am thankful to government for making this happen."

Until recently, disaster financial assistance was capped at $50,000 for homeowners, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. The province has increased the maximum assistance to $80,000 for people and small businesses and $200,000 for not-for-profit organizations. The new cap applies to this and future disaster assistance claims.

Claims information and application forms are available at http://emo.gov.ns.ca and at Access Nova Scotia centres. The deadline to apply is Feb. 8.

The program, which covers uninsurable damage in Colchester and Pictou counties, will cost about $2.2 million. The province will apply to the federal government to cover a portion under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement.