Flood-damaged house torn down, to be rebuilt by charity

A Calgary couple got a step closer to replacing their flood-damaged house on Thursday with its demolition, thanks to a local charity.

Samaritan’s Purse is going to help Mona and John Hayes build a new house on their property in the hard-hit southwest district of Erlton after it was left uninhabitable.

The charity got involved when insurance payouts plus government aid still wasn’t enough to cover the couple’s rebuilding costs. They’ve been renting a basement suite since the flood.

“Samaritan’s Purse has been awesome since day one. They had volunteers here, the day after the flood, all in their bright orange shirts and up and down the street helping wherever they could,” said John Hayes.

Shane Bevans, construction manager for the charity organization, said it feels great to be able to help a family rebuild.

“Not only their homes, but as well as their lives. And every family is different in how their lives need to be restored. But at the end of the day it’s just the best feeling for our whole team to be able to help them do that.”

Bevans said the decision to tear down the house was made because its foundation was washed away by floodwater.

“In looking at either rebuilding or fixing, it was more efficient to ... rebuild it,” he said.

The cost of the tear down is being covered by the demolition company, while Samaritan’s Purse will pay for most of the re-building job, Bevans said.

There are many people in Calgary and High River who still need help from charities as they struggle to get back on their feet, said Bevans.

According to city officials, 22 flood-damaged houses have been demolished so far. Another 37 demolition permits have been applied for.