People who experienced flooding in their homes in Red Deer during heavy rainfalls on July 12 and 13 may get aid from the province.

Exact numbers are unknown, says Lorraine Poth, director of corporate services with the City, “but we probably received 250 calls about flooding, so we estimate as many as 500 homes may have flooded. When we hit 100 in flooding numbers we contact the province.”

The City has submitted an application to the province for funding through the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program. To qualify for the assistance the province needs to determine that the damage was widespread as the result of an extraordinary event, a once in 25-year rainfall event, which is not covered by normal household insurance.

Karen Mann, emergency management coordinator for the City of Red Deer, says householders need to contact their insurance provider and if damage is not covered to request a letter stating that the damage is non-insurable. People should document all their actions in relation to any flooding, like taking pictures, keeping receipts and listing damaged property. Householders are responsible for cleaning up and restoring any damage from flooding. But if the province approves assistance the City will make information available as to how residents can submit formal claims for recovering some or all of their clean-up expenses.

Information for cleaning up after flooding can be found on websites for the City, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

-Cryderman