Flood victims start compensation process

As flood victims continued their cleanup and hoped that predictions of more rain would dry up, centres opened around southern Alberta Wednesday to help them fill out compensation forms.

The province has said it will provide $55 million in flood relief, covering things that wouldn't be taken care of by insurance.

• GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA: Flood claim centres

"Insurance will not cover anything," Sheri McGinnis said. "Because no insurance company covers flood in southern Alberta. I mean, you add in a home, my basement and my business … I guess we'll see what happens."

In High River, one of the hardest hit areas where the Highwood River spilled its banks and flooded basements and yards, a steady stream of people came through the doors of the Memorial Centre Wednesday.

"The process to begin cleaning up is a very expensive one for us," said Caroline Baraniuk, who lives on five acres outside of High River and saw her entire yard flooded. "We need thousands of dollars in dirt, in equipment and gravel. So whatever the government is willing to help us out with will help us out."

Some High River residents complained that they could have minimized the damage had they been able to get sandbags sooner, rather than wait for a state of emergency to be declared.

Some Calgary residents who went to one of two flood centres opened in the city – one at the Southland Leisure Centre, the other at the Centre Street Church – also had concerns about how the level of flooding could have been prevented.

Sally-Ann Calver says poor drainage in her Edgemont neighbourhood contributed to her flooding, and believes the city should have kept a closer eye on the developer.

Sharon Robinson, with Emergency Management Alberta, says it will be a while before the government can begin cutting cheques.

Flood victims need to fill out the appropriate paperwork, and an evaluator will then visit the home and assess the damage.

Priority cases – such as a flooded basement where people had bedrooms or a home where there are health issues – will be dealt with first, she said.

The maximum claim is $100,000.

• GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA: Flood claim questions