Nova Scotia accepting flood damage assistance applications
Program will cover up to $200,000 per household
The Nova Scotia government is now accepting applications for disaster financial assistance following last week's severe weather that led to flooding and damage across the province.
Up to $200,000 will be covered per household. The program aims to help homeowners, small businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations cover cost of damages.
Applications are available online and will be available next week at several locations including Access Nova Scotia Centres, MLA offices and town halls.
'Every case will be different'
"We will look at the damage obviously and the value that people had lost and every case will be different," said Geoff MacLellan, Minster of Transportation, Infrastructure and Renewal as well as MLA for Glace Bay.
"People will just apply individually and they will have EMO and other supporting services visit them and have a conversation and figure out what exactly they need and go through that process."
A news release from the province says residents should continue to assess damage, keep receipts, take pictures and video as well as work with their insurance companies.
The assistance provided by the province is for damage not covered for insurance. A spokesperson for the province said as an example, if you had $50,000 in damage and insurance only covered $10,000, you can still apply.
'It's total devastation'
Wayne and Jean Martin's home in Sydney was badly damaged in last week's flood. They said they had just remodeled it for retirement.
"It's total devastation. There's nothing left. We have our bedroom sets left and a little bit of clothes," said Wayne Martin. "Sewer water, oil came in after, water came after that. We lost our car. Our car was submerged."
'Money will help immensely'
The Martins are hoping the province will come through with funding soon.
"It sounds like if that came we'd get our life back," said Martin. "All we want is what we had."
"Winter is coming. This money will help immensely with family, get my kids back with us and ... things are going to get colder and messier so we need to get moving fast," said Jean Martin.
With files from Joan Weeks