Chatham-Kent flood qualifies for provincial disaster relief

Residents in Chatham and Thamesville whose homes and businesses were soaked by flooding will be able to apply for relief funding from the provincial government.

• Here's what you need to know about applying for flood recovery assistance

• Flood cleanup for Chatham and Thamesville to begin next week

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs activated the Disaster Relief for Ontarians program on Friday following flooding between Feb. 22 and 25 where the Thames River peaked at five metres higher than normal.

The municipality issued a state of emergency and several people had to berescued by boat from their flooded homes by the dive teamfrom the Chatham Fire Department.

Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Bill Mauro toured the flooded areas, followed by a visit from a disaster assessment team that determined government funding should be made available.

"The government is closely monitoring other areas experiencing flooding. It may activate the program in these areas as flood impacts continue to be assessed in the coming days and weeks," the ministry stated in a media release about the activation.

• After enduring 'pure hell' from flooding, Chatham woman pins her hopes on disaster relief

TheDisaster Recovery Assistance for Ontariansprogram is meant to cover emergency expenses and the costs of repairing or replacing essential items after a natural disaster.

Here's what it covers:

• The program offers partial financial assistance for essential items such as fridges or furnaces.
• Financial help is limited to$250,000 per application.
• The program does not offer financial assistancefor any costs covered by insurance.

Property owners who want to apply are asked to document their damage with photos and to save receipts for the cost of cleanup and replacing items.

Officials with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority have begun distributing a survey in flooded areas to better understand the depth of the water with the goal of supporting recovery efforts and being better-prepared for future floods.

The municipality has announcedspecial garbage pickups in both Chatham and Thamesvilleduring the week of March 5 to clear sodden items and flood-damaged furniture.

People with property in the following areas are eligible to apply: