Province won’t cover most flooding losses
Disaster program’s ‘specific criteria’ rules out sewer, pump claims
Flooded Chestermere residents could be left with thousands of dollars in damages, as the province says its Disaster Recovery Program funds don’t cover flooding from sewer or pump issues.
“There’s very specific criteria that’s laid out for an application to be accepted as a DRP claim. And so normally, sewer backup does not qualify folks for a DRP claim. It’s got to be flooding, or overground water,” Municipal Affairs Minister Deron Bilous told the Herald on Friday afternoon.
Scores of residents have had insurance companies reject their applications for relief after torrential rains and hail pounded the town just east of Calgary on Sunday and Tuesday.
Much of the damage has come from sewer grades clogging or overflowing, while power outages have also stopped pumps set up explicitly to clear out water deposits.
In most cases, those incidents can’t been deemed flooding or overground water, leaving most homeowners uninsured or only partially covered.
Among those not covered is Julie Briand, a Chestermere resident for roughly eight years. Her walkout basement has gotten an inch of water in the past, but she invested in a top-tier sump pump to keep the water out.
“We’ve had really big storms and the sump pump has pumped up any water that got down there,” Briand said. That was until Sunday.
“There was no electricity, so it overflowed and then came in the door downstairs. Well (Millennium Insurance is) calling it overland; they’re not calling it sump-pump overload because they can get out of paying it that way.”
Briand’s facing an $18,000 to $25,000 repair bill for her cork-flooring basement.
The province’s DRP fund is designed to help municipalities and their residents “who incur uninsurable loss and damage as a result of a disastrous event.” DRP applications can only be made after an insurance company has declined to cover a claim.
Bilous said the province still wants residents to apply to the DRP, which is being done through the city in one combined application.
“We absolutely want to work with the City of Chestermere and with affected residents. We’re encouraging folks to go through the process and to inform the city of any damage they have, so that the City of Chestermere can apply for DRP funding,” said Bilous.
Bilous’ ministry dispatched a DRP claims worker to Chestermere even before the town confirmed it would submit an application.
The ministry has also sent an emergency-response expert to make sure the province has an appropriate response.
Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews said in an email the city will proceed with its DPR claim.
“We are still working with so many residents to identify how exactly they were affected and with the province to help those most in need.
“It’s a stressful time for everyone but we know that as long as we work together, we’ll get the best possible outcome.”
But Briand is a furious, at one point breaking into tears when describing dealing with her insurance agency.
“I can just imagine what those people in High River went through,” she said, referring to epicentre of the 2013 floods. “For them it was their whole house, right? Not just their basement. It was their whole house being destroyed. And I’m sure they went through the same thing where their insurance didn’t want to pay either.
“Why do people have insurance? Why do I pay $1,900 a year to not have anything covered but fire?” Briand said. “There’s always a clause in there that takes away the other clause.”
As of Friday afternoon, Chestermere had already experienced two power outages, some power surges and light rain. The city is handing out sandbags to help divert any runoff.
Prior to Bilous’ comments, Mayor Patricia Matthews lauded the province for its fast response.
“They have been great with us. A lot of their staff worked through the 2013 floods with Calgary. And so they’re far more experienced at going through these kinds of issues than we are, and they had staff on the ground working with our staff,” she told the Herald by phone.
The city is encouraging residents to consult its flood website for information on how to submit a claim, and to watch for updates.
Some residents have told the Herald that companies like TD Insurance allowed more claims Friday, after criticism mounted online. That’s some comfort for Briand.
“Someone’s got to cover it. They can’t both say, well no we don’t cover that, because you had a sump pump and it should have pumped it out. One of them’s got to cover it.”
Meanwhile, Matthews says the city needs volunteers who have pickup trucks to help with placing sandbags. Those who can help are asked to call the Synergy group at 403-207-7048, or email flood@ chestermere.ca.