Dozens of communities affected by the 2009 flood will receive Disaster Financial Assistance, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton said today. Up to $40 million was revealed to be available to aid Manitobans hit by the flood, Ashton said this morning during a news conference.
More than 50 rural municipalities are on the list of areas to receive funding, as well as seven first nation communities. The list also includes Winnipeg, Winnipeg Beach, West St. Paul and St. Andrews.
“We are doing everything possible to help those Manitobans impacted by this year’s flood,” said Ashton. “Many of the eligible claims have already received financial assistance and the remainder are being processed as quickly as possible.”
More than 1,000 applications for disaster financial assistance were submitted.
“The damage caused by flooding throughout the province and heavy ice on the Red River this spring was significant,” said Ashton.
Ashton said payments have started and will continue to flow throughout the summer. The province has added temporary staff to make the financial assistance process as efficient as possible.
The amount any private citizen can receive under the DFA is $200,000, which doubled this year.
Application forms and further details about DFA are available online at www.manitobaemo.ca or by contacting the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization at 204-945-4772 or 1 888 267 8298 (toll free). Applications are also available at most municipal offices.
