Officials assess flood damage as province provides gear, chopper, insurance
Marchmont Street resident Stefan Quaglia plunks sandbags in around his home Friday afternoon.
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Updated: November 21, 2009 11:43 AM
Cowichan region’s emergency brass were busy assessing flood damage Saturday morning in the wake of Friday’s disaster.
Joe Barrie, Cowichan Valley Regional District spokesman, said fears that high tides could swamp more homes and properties in and around Duncan failed to happen.
“The high-tide issue at 10 a.m. this morning was a non event; that’s great, wonderful,” he said.
At about 10:30 a.m. only five of some 300 homes affected by the flooding were still under evacuation order “and that’s to be lifted about 11:30 a.m.” Barrie said.
“The streets are being pumped out and things are drying out.”
Some streets are still closed and detours exist at Beverly, Lakes and Tzouhalem.
Meanwhile, the provincial government answered a city of Duncan request for more flood gear, answering with 5,000 sandbags, two larger pumps and a helicopter to allow city crews to fly over flooded areas to better assess damages.
Friday saw Victoria approve disaster financial assistance for four island regions including Cowichan.
The DFA program helps eligible homeowners, residential tenants, farmers, small businesses and charitable groups when property is damaged by uninsurable disasters including floods and mudslides.
For acceptable claims the B.C. government covers up to 80 per cent of the portion of a claim exceeding $1,000 to a maximum of $300,000.
Local governments are also eligible for the provincial relief.
Call 250-356-6961and log on to the regional website at www.cvrd.bc.ca.
