The weather this spring has been a wet roller coaster, causing major flooding in the Humboldt region.
The City of Humboldt has responded to the extreme amounts of rainfall, estimated at over 35 inches since the beginning of April, by applying for designation under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP).
On June 28, the city received confirmation from the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing that they had received PDAP designation.
According to Humboldt mayor Malcolm Eaton, the rain has caused a number of issues for the city and its residents.
"The city has flooded sportsfields, alleys, cemeteries, the golf course is affected, the campground is affected," Eaton explained. "It's also affected road construction and other construction projects and costing us damages now and in the future."
In addition, the city is aware that a number of homeowners are dealing with significant seepage issues and water in their basements, which are not covered by insurance, he added.
"With PDAP, there is the potential for homeowners to receive some help for these problems," Eaton said. "Hopefully, the program will offer some support to residents."
The city isn't the only municipal government in the area to apply for PDAP, Eaton noted. Several rural and urban municipalities in the region are facing serious issues caused by the high rainfall.
The city's application for the program states that the city is applying to be designated an eligible assistance area for PDAP, "which provides financial assistance for restoring essential services and property, public and/or private, as a result of substantial damages caused by significant rainfall on the date of April 13, 2010 and the continuing rainfall to June 11, 2010."
Humboldt city council approved a motion to apply for the program at its regular meeting on June 14.
According to the PDAP web site, the program provides financial assistance in specific circumstances where there has been a natural disaster, such as flooding, tornadoes, plow winds, and severe weather. The program provides assistance to eligible claimants in a municipality that has been designated as a result of substantial loss or damage caused by a natural disaster to uninsurable, essential property.
The program is cost-shared with each claimant, using a formula to determine the percentage of loss recoverable.
Application forms for assistance can be obtained at the city's web site, picked up at City Hall and the Reid-Thompson Public Library.
Residents of other municipal areas can pick up the forms at their local town or RM office.
Spring 2010 PDAP Designated Areas
RM of Hoodoo
Village of Annaheim
RM of Humboldt
RM of Foam Lake
RM of St. Louis
RM of Three Lakes
RM of Viscount
RM of Lakeview
RM of Bayne
RM of Colonsay
RM of Lake Lenore
RM of St. Peter
RM of Wolverine
Town of Foam Lake
City of Humboldt
RM of Kinistino
Town of LeRoy
Village of Englefeld
Village of Middle Lake
RM of Birch Hills
RM of Spalding
Town of Colonsay
Village of Viscount
Town of Aberdeen
RM of LeRoy
Town of Nokomis
Town of Lanigan
