NS government offering more aid for December storm victims
Nova Scotians affected by a severe storm that battered Cape Breton and coastal areas of the province from December 20 and 22 will have help getting their lives back in order.
The province has announced a fourth disaster financial assistance program to support Nova Scotians as they rebuild from a year marked by harsh weather and unprecedented damage.
“We have seen first-hand the extent of the damage and talked to many Nova Scotians about the support they need to fully recover from the severe weather in 2010,” said Ross Landry, Minister of Justice, in a statement. “We want to be there for as many people as we possibly can.”
Just days before Christmas, up to 136 millimetres of rain and 137 kilometre per hour winds along with high tides and storm surges caused major flooding in many coastal areas, including Cape Breton and the Northumberland Shore.
Nova Scotians with uninsurable damages to their primary residence in the counties of Richmond, Cape Breton, Victoria, Inverness, Antigonish, Pictou, Colchester, or Cumberland, and in coastal areas of Hants, Kings, Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Halifax and Guysborough counties may be eligible for disaster assistance under the new program.
Non-profit organizations, small businesses and municipalities may also qualify.
The province also announced that damages to commercial and non-profit wharves are now eligible for disaster assistance.
“Many fishermen rely on wharves for their livelihood,” said Mr. Landry. “We think more consistent support will help make the lives of hard working people in coastal communities better.”
The latest disaster assistance program, cost-shared between Ottawa and the province, is worth almost $3-million. The federal government is expected to cover about $1-million, with the province funding the rest.
The program brings the total disaster assistance in 2010 to about $19-million.
Claims information and application forms are available at www.emo.gov.ns.ca and at Access Nova Scotia Centres.
