Deadline for West Coast flood claims approaching

Oliver Langdon, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and minister responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization (EMO),is pleased to report that the process for compensation, due to damages caused by extensive flooding on the West Coast in April, is progressing efficiently.

"This year has been a challenging one for the Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization as they successfully managed the compensation process for two major, although unique floods," said Minister Langdon. "I am very pleased with the progression of the compensation process on the West Coast and that more than 60 per cent of the claims submitted have been settled."

To date 403 residential claims have been submitted to EMO. Of those, 261 claims have been settled, with the remainder in various stages of completion. The total in compensation provided for residential property to date is approximately $1.3 million. Claims settled, range from less than $200 to more than $30,000.

In addition, 16 small business claims were submitted. Four of those have been settled to date with a total compensation of approximately $134,000.

Individuals whose claims have not yet been settled should check with EMO before proceeding to do repairs beyond clean-up and removal of damaged material.

It is expected that most claims have been submitted. However, citizens and business owners are advised that the deadline to submit a claim under this program is August 31, 2003.

Claims are processed according to the guidelines of the Federal-Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

For further information citizens may speak with an EMO representative at 1-866-635-4156.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-1983