Alberta government outlines more flood recovery, mitigation details

The Alberta government has released more details on flood assistance and mitigation measures for the province, following severe flooding in late June.

“No eligible homeowner with flood damage will go without financial support,” according to a statement released Sunday by the government.

“If the cost of repairs is greater than the cost of rebuilding the home, the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) will provide support for a complete rebuild.”

The funding will be based on the cost of construction per square foot, “to a functional, basic level of finish, based on the existing developed space of the home,” according to the government, which is using a funding formula based on information from “industry experts.”

Examples of basic levels of finish include:

• Vinyl siding
• Asphalt shingles
• Standard efficiency furnace
• Vinyl flooring
• Basic quality carpet
• Basic quality cabinets and laminate countertops
• Standard finishing throughout including baseboards, closet doors, doors, and towel racks

“This funding formula is fair to our affected homeowners and provides them the information needed to make smart choices about their future,” Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs, noted in a statement.

“The Disaster Recovery Program works with your insurance coverage but does not replace insurance; it will cover restoration of your home to a functional standard but not cover premium upgrades.”

The government has also introduced new “Minimum Individual Flood Mitigation Measures,” aimed at helping individuals and small businesses that own property in a flood fringe area and had damage from the June flooding and are applying to the DRP.

All of the new measures relate to finished and partially finished basements, where flood damage is most likely to occur, according to the government.

The new measures include:

• Refinish with materials and finishes that resist water damage and are cleanable.
• Seal all the openings in the basement wall where piping, wiring and conduits come through, to prevent seepage.
• Protect electrical services in the basement to quickly restore electrical function by raising wiring and outlets, and by moving and modifying the main electrical panel so that basement circuits that may be affected by flood water are isolated from the remainder of the home or business.
• Protect plumbing fixtures/equipment from backflow from the public sewers.

The DRP will fund flood mitigation by adding up to 15% of calculated repairs per home. If mitigation costs are higher the province will fund additional money to meet the standard.

According to the province, it could cost up to $10,000 more to repair or rebuild a basement with these measures instead of traditional materials and methods.

An advisory panel struck earlier this month is doing more work to determine an approach to community flood mitigation, the government also noted.

The government will also place a notice at Land Titles stating if property is on a floodway or a flood fringe and if the property utilized 2013 DRP funding. Only properties in floodways and flood fringes that accessed assistance will have this notice.

“We have a responsibility to put protective measures in place for future buyers, realtors, lenders and insurers,” Minister Griffiths noted.

Once property owners in the flood fringe submit proof of mitigation to Land Titles, their title will be cleared of the DRP notice. This will ensure future owners can apply for disaster assistance and get the help they need in the event of a future flood, the government said.

The province is also reminding homeowners to ensure they obtain the proper permits for their municipality for the work done on their properties.