GNWT to Cover all Repairs for Flood-Affected Residents

Yellowknife — June 28, 2021

Flood-affected residents, small businesses, and community governments in flood-impacted communities will get enhanced disaster assistance to recover and rebuild after unprecedented flooding.

Home repair or replacement

The GNWT will pay for and coordinate repairs to restore private, primary homes to pre-disaster condition.

The GNWT will cover all costs to bring homes back to pre-disaster condition

For private, primary homes damaged beyond repair, the GNWT will replace the home with basic manufactured homes suited to the household size.

As part of repairs or replacements, there is consideration for mitigating risk for future floods. Many homes will be raised to prevent flood damage in the future.

Our commitment is that we will do these repairs because that it what it takes to get residents back in their homes before winter sets in.

Residents – Personal Belongings and Home Contents

In addition to home repairs, all residents affected by floods can submit a claim for assistance to provide for lost or damaged essential items.
Everyone negatively impacted by the flood should submit a claim.  Claims need to be assessed to see if the Disaster Assistance Policy may be able to fill the gap.

The maximum payout is up to 80% or $100,000 – all residents, community governments and small businesses are eligible.

Hunters and trappers with cabins or equipment which were damaged should contact their regional Environment and Natural Resources office to discuss the hunters and trappers disaster assistance program.

Accessing assistance

Contact the Municipal and Community Affairs office; they are ready to assist you in getting your claim in.

Anyone who feels they have been affected by flooding in these communities should submit a claim. We want to help.

Claim forms are available online. If you need help or have questions, contact:

• Dehcho
  • (867) 695-7220
• Sahtu
  • (867) 587-7100
• South Slave
  • (867) 872-6525
• flood@gov.nt.ca

Assessing Claims

Not all claims will be approved. Eligibility will be determined after assessing a claim.

Processing Claims

Once a claim is received, they will be assessed and, if eligible, approved within two weeks. It may take longer if there is information missing or follow-up questions.

Quote(s)

“When disaster strikes, our government will do what it takes to help businesses, governments, and residents get back in their homes and on their feet as soon as possible. This year’s floods were unprecedented, and that’s why we are meeting that challenge with assistance above-and-beyond what was offered in the past. If you need help getting assistance, get in touch – we’re here for you.”

– Shane Thompson, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick facts

• Damage assessments are complete in Jean Marie River, Fort Simpson, and Fort Good Hope.
• Damage assessments are being scheduled for private, primary homes in other communities.  No damage to private homes were identified in Aklavik – though community infrastructure was damaged.
• In Jean Marie River, 16 to 18 homes have been assessed as requiring repair.
• In Fort Simpson, the estimate is that 70 private homes were damaged and that 60 require repair and 10 require replacement.  These numbers are still being verified.
• In Little Buffalo River, four private residences were damaged.
• Contractors and Environment and Natural Resources will be on-the-ground soon completing environmental assessments

Related links

• Apply for disaster assistance
• Access the emergency disaster assistance advance program
• Frequently asked questions – Disaster Assistance Policy and 2021 Flood Season

For media requests, please contact:

Jay Boast

Communications Advisor

Municipal and Community Affairs

Government of the Northwest Territories

Jay_Boast@gov.nt.ca

Backgrounder:

bkg_flood_assistance_where_were_at_what_to_expect.pdf

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