September 22, 2005

The province is extending the deadline to apply for disaster financial assistance (DFA) for flood-related damages in 2005 to Monday, Oct. 31, Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Minister Scott Smith, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization, announced today.

"The record rainfalls experienced in our province over an extended period of time in 2005 created widespread damage," said Smith. "Flooding continues in some parts of the province and people are still calculating damage. This extension will give them the opportunity they need to apply for disaster assistance."

Disaster financial assistance is generally available for costs incurred to prevent or limit flood damage, evacuation costs and costs to repair essential infrastructure.

Smith made the announcement as he toured the flood-proofing work going on in Gimli and Winnipeg Beach.

"A lot of progress has been made to improve flood protection measures in the area around Lake Winnipeg and we would like to commend municipalities and residents for the hard work undertaken so far to help prevent possible fall flooding," said Smith. "There is still more work to do and the province will continue to be a partner in this flood-proofing work."

Smith noted measures the province has been involved in during this year’s unprecedented flooding season include:

• the use of over two million sandbags provincewide;

• deployment of specialized ice-breaking equipment known as an Amphibex, brought in from Quebec;

• construction of emergency dikes at Rall’s Island near The Pas and Pukatawagan and 500,000 sandbags sent to help to assist with sandbagging efforts in and around
  The Pas;

• $100,000 to survey vulnerable low-lying areas on Lake Winnipeg;

• $8 million for flood protection measures in the Lake Winnipeg area including filling and distributing approximately 200,000 sandbags, repairing and improving the existing 100-kilometre earthen dike system on the west side of Lake Winnipeg and constructing temporary earthen and sandbag dikes to protect areas vulnerable under current lake levels and potential weather conditions;

• sandbagging for 97 houses in the city of Winnipeg identified at risk of flooding on the Red River;

• sandbagging in the Interlake; and

• providing pumps and technical assistance across southern Manitoba to deal with flash floods and overland flooding.

The Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is responsible for administering the DFA Program. Information on the DFA program is available from EMO at 945-3050 in Winnipeg or toll-free at 1-888-267-8298. Information and application forms are also available at most local municipal offices.

Cost-sharing with the Government of Canada has been requested under the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

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