Badger flood update

Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister, Oliver Langdon, and Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education Minister, Anna Thistle, MHA for Grand Falls-Buchans District, will be in Badger this week to update Town Council and community representatives on compensation relating to the recent flood.

The Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) received approximately 200 damage claims from Badger residents. EMO is also dealing with approximately 350 claims resulting from flooding on the province�s west coast.

"We started to pay Badger residents contents claims, such as furniture and appliances, a few weeks ago," said Minister Langdon. "Last week EMO started contacting homeowners whose property sustained minor to moderate structural damage. This week we will start to contact homeowners whose property sustained major damage."

Structural damage assessments focused on restoring homes to their pre-flood condition, as well as measures to mitigate against losses due to future flooding. "One mitigation measure could involve the construction of a new subdivision in Badger," said Minister Langdon. "Engineers have already evaluated two potential sites for this development."

Structural damage assessments on approximately 200 properties were performed by independent building contractors under the supervision of an independent engineering consultant. These assessments will form the basis for compensation to homeowners.

Ms. Thistle commended the people of Badger for their patience and co-operation during this difficult time. "With millions of dollars involved, the claims process obviously takes time. However, the wait is now over and we are ready to assist residents of Badger in putting their lives back together."

Media contact:

Lynn Hammond, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, (709) 729-1983
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, (709) 729-6573

2003 05 26                                        2:45 p.m.