As Mackenzie County continues to access the damage from flooding in Fort Vermilion and other areas, the county learned it will be getting financial help from the Government of Alberta.
The intent of the disaster fund is to help residents and business owners pay for uninsurable damages as well as help restore municipal infrastructure.
Premier Jason Kenney, and Municipal Affairs Minister, Kaycee Madu announced $147 will be available to flood victims in both the Mackenzie region, as well as Fort McMurray.
Both floods were caused by ice jams.
Mackenzie County Reeve Josh Knelsen is thankful of the Alberta Government.
“Our community of Fort Vermilion has experienced a devastating event and lives have been turned upside down,” says Knelsen.
“Cleanup efforts are underway with many organizations and volunteer groups stepping up to help our residents. We thank Premier Kenney, Minister Madu, our local MLA Dan Williams, and the rest of the provincial government for providing financial support to the municipality and the affected residents in this great time of need, through the Disaster Recovery Program.”
Knelsen says the damage is still being assessed.
“I know there are 147 residential homes that got damaged, 15 commercial buildings and nine-or-so government buildings and I think three graveyards were damaged as well,” explains Knelsen.
The Trending 55 Newsroom asked Madu if there was a cost estimate of repairs at this time in the county.
“Just to confirm, we have heard from local leaders, including the reeve that they are looking at damage caused in the neighbourhood of $45 million,” states Madu.
“However, I need to be clear that we are still at the assessment stage and we expect that number to change.”
An ice jam in the Peace River caused approximately 450 residents of Fort Vermilion, Buttertown, and other communities to be evacuated.
That order has since been lifted.
Applications under the Disaster Recovery Program begin on May 11 and the deadline to apply is August 5.
Click here for more information.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
