The provincial government’s Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program is now open to people impacted by flooding this spring.
A release says homeowners, residential tenants, business owners, local governments, Indigenous communities, farmers, corporation-owned properties, and charitable organizations are all eligible to apply for the program.
Anyone who was hit by the spring freshet between April 27 and May 16 is encouraged to apply.
The assistance includes all flood-affected communities such as the Village of Cache Creek, City of West Kelowna, Town of Oliver, City of Grand Forks, Village of Fruitvale and the Village of Midway.
The Okanagan Indian Band, Bonaparte First Nation, Shackan Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Skeetchestn Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band are also included in the financial assistance program.
On May 2, Whiteman's Creek spilled its banks and impacted dozens of homes in Kelowna's north Westside.
On May 1, the Village of Cache Creek was hit hard by devastating flooding and remains under a local state of emergency nearly two weeks later.
The City of Grand Forks issued several evacuation orders and alerts due to rising water in the Kettle and Granby rivers earlier this month. Fortunately, they were resinded shortly after.
DFA is intended to compensate for sudden, unexpected and uninsurable losses. This may include building repairs, replacement of essential personal effects, eligible equipment and inventory, and clean up and debris removal.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness says applications must be submitted within 90 days of the event declaration.
If an application is successful, it could cover 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000 to a maximum of $400,000.
As of May 16, most of the BC Interior, including the Okanagan and Shuswap regions, remains under a high streamflow advisory.
The Lower Thompson basin, which includes Cache Creek, and the Boundary region remain under flood watches.
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