Provincial disaster relief funding for private property owners in Red Deer, who were impacted by flooding last June, has been denied on appeal.
Last fall the city submitted an application to the province for an estimated $4.5 to $6 million on behalf of about 300 residents and property owners.
The province denied the initial application in February. The city appealed the decision in March, and was informed last week that the appeal was denied.
“The province was pretty clear they considered the application closed,” said Russ Watts, the city’s acting engineering services manager.
He said the bulk of disaster assistance was for one residential property that lost the majority of its backyard in a landslide last July. The cost to stabilize the property was estimated at $1.7 to $3.2 million depending on the repair option.
Related:
Red Deerians still waiting for disaster relief from last summer’s heavy rain
He said an application for disaster relief can be made when insurance isn’t readily available.
Flood damage from sewer back-ups is covered by household insurance policies. But most private policies do not cover overland flooding — and it’s for these uninsured costs that the city was seeking provincial help for homeowners.
Three landslides were reported in Red Deer on July 11 and 12, 2022 after excessive rainfall a month earlier which saturated the soil and caused some areas to drop.
Watts said city infrastructure was not damaged due to last June’s rain.
Related:
Heavy rain causes localized flooding in Red Deer
A statement from Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services said the province’s Disaster Recovery Program is designed to support communities rebuilding from uninsurable losses arising from widespread disaster events. Criteria laid out by the Disaster Recovery Regulation was followed when reviewing the City of Red Deer’s application.
“After careful review of the city’s application, it was determined that the flood event did not meet the eligibility criteria. This is related to the rainfall threshold and the economic impacts on the City of Red Deer,” the statement said.
“All Albertans are encouraged to secure appropriate insurance through their insurance providers for their property and to review their coverage regularly. Disputes over insurance claims can be addressed through their insurance provider or through the Insurance Bureau of Canada.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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