The Province has approved the Regional District of East Kootenay’s (including all rural areas and municipalities) application to Emergency Management BC (EMBC) for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for “Overland Flooding” in response to the flooding events over the past week.
This means full-time residents can fill out claim forms and submit them for a portion of the cleanup costs related to the flooding that are not covered by insurance.
The DFA program is provincial and is only available to full-time residents.
People who have experienced flooding should book a damage assessment as soon as the water has been receded for two days. To book an assessment, contact the RDEK’s Building & Protective Services Department at 250-489-2791.
If water got into any electrical outlets, fixtures or appliances (such as hot water tanks), contact the BC Safety Authority or visit their website to get a list of certified contractors to do electrical inspections. This is required before power can be turned back on in homes that had power disconnected, but is also recommended for anyone who experienced water in electrical outlets/fixtures. There is a fee for this inspection.
If flooding compromised your septic field, you will need to have it inspected by a qualified sewage practitioner.
Once water has receded, you will need to disinfect your well. Take before and after photos to document everything. Get a letter of claim denial from your insurance company.
Keep receipts for any and all clean-up costs related to the flooding and resulting damage/repairs.
It is important to note the deadline date for EMBC to receive DFA application forms is September 22.
When filling out the forms, make sure you indicate a damage date between June 19 to 21 as this is the timeframe DFA has been approved for.
This is a Provincial assistance program, and will only cover a portion of costs for approved claims. If you have questions about the program, contact EMBC at 1-888-257-4777.
Part-time/seasonal property owners are not eligible for assistance through the Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program (DFA). If flooding has damaged your property, a free clean up kit can be delivered to you by contacting the RDEK’s Building & Protective Services Department at 250-489-2791. These kits include very basic items to help get started with cleaning up after a flood (such as Javex, a mop, gloves). If people want to hire a remediation company, the RDEK has a list of companies. This would be at your own cost.
If water levels got into any electrical outlets, fixtures or appliances (such as hot water tanks), contact the BC Safety Authority. They will provide a list of qualified contractors who can do an electrical inspection. There is a fee for this inspection so keep your receipts.
Contact your insurance company to determine whether your policy might provide any coverage.