Alberta government commits $58 million for disaster recovery after severe summer storms

The Alberta government has pledged up to $58 million for disaster recovery programs to help offset uninsurable costs from severe weather damage this past summer.

The province has approved six regional programs to offset uninsurable losses including:

• Up to $9.4 million for storms on June 5 and 6 (City of Calgary)
• Up to $32 million for July storm (City of Edmonton)
• Up to $3 million for storms on July 14 to 18 (Capital Region including Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Devon Beaumont and Parkland County)
• Up to $100,000 for storms on June 17 (City of Brooks)
• Up to $5 million for storms on July 23 to 21 (North Central Alberta)
• Up to $8.6 million for storms on June 26 to 30 (Special Areas 2, 3 and 4, Youngstown and Consort)

The numbers are based on preliminary estimates and may change following further assessments and repairs, the government noted in a statement. Under these programs, about 1,270 households could qualify for assistance, it said.

“This funding will go a long way to help the communities and Albertans who experienced uninsurable losses because of this severe weather,” Doug Griffiths, the province’s Minister of Municipal Affairs said in a statement. “Plans are already moving forward to establish registration centres for Albertans who may qualify for assistance.”

Local authorities can apply for disaster recovery programs for their residents, if the disaster is “considered extraordinary, and damage must be widespread and uninsurable,” according to the province.