Manitoba officials say flood-affected residents who have applied for disaster financial assistance will receive a $500 advance payment as quickly as possible.
The province has also launched a one-time flood recovery grant program for homeowners and tenants in the hardest-hit communities.
New Flood Recovery Program Announced
The Manitoba flood recovery program is designed to help homeowners and renters who either do not have insurance or whose insurance coverage is not enough to cover the damage.
Christine Stevens, director of Manitoba’s Emergency Management Organization, said the program will support people even if they do not qualify for disaster financial assistance.
No Fixed Maximum for Payments
Stevens said there is no set maximum amount under the new grant program.
Payments will depend on each person’s situation and the level of damage.
The money may be used for cleanup costs, structural repairs or other recovery needs related to flood damage.
According to Stevens, the amount paid will be based on the impact of the flooding.
Western Manitoba and Parkland Region Hit Hard
Premier Wab Kinew and Stevens spoke at a media briefing Friday about widespread flooding in western Manitoba.
The Parkland region has been among the hardest-hit areas.
Officials said the new flood recovery program will work in a similar way to disaster financial assistance but will reach more people.
$500 Advance for DFA Applicants
Kinew said about 1,800 people have already started applying for disaster financial assistance.
Those applicants can expect a $500 advance payment.
The premier said the province is working quickly to make sure people receive support as soon as possible.
He said Manitoba’s finance department and Emergency Management Organization are working through the weekend to get money into residents’ hands.
Residents Can Begin Repairs
Kinew said people affected by flooding do not need to wait before starting repair work.
He said residents can begin cleanup, order building materials and speak with contractors.
However, he advised them to document the repair process with photos and keep the information needed for their applications.
Province to Match Red Cross Donations
Kinew also announced that Manitoba is partnering with the Canadian Red Cross to collect charitable donations for people affected by flooding.
The province is setting aside $15 million to match those donations.
The Red Cross will receive the donations and manage the program.
Kinew said the support will also be available to people who do not qualify for disaster financial assistance.
Red Cross and Team Rubicon Providing Support
The Red Cross is sending staff to the Swan Valley region to help with personal recovery planning.
They will assist residents with financial planning, repairs, temporary accommodations and mental health needs.
Kinew encouraged affected residents to use the service.
Team Rubicon, a humanitarian organization led by military veterans, is also working in the Swan Valley area.
The group will go door to door to identify where help is needed.
Teams Working Until August
Kinew said Team Rubicon will rotate five teams of 25 people through the region.
They are expected to continue working in the area until August 19.
The organization has already received 81 requests for help, and officials expect that number to rise.
States of Emergency Across Manitoba
As of Friday morning, 48 local states of emergency were in effect across Manitoba, Stevens said.
Disaster financial assistance is being delivered through three separate programs linked to storms and flooding from June 6-8, June 9-10, and June 28-July 1.
More Advance Funding for Communities
In addition to the $500 payments for residents, Stevens said $7.8 million in advance funding will be sent to communities next week.
The province has also set aside an initial $15 million for recovery.
That amount is separate from the additional $15 million reserved to match charitable donations.
Roads and Highways Damaged
Stevens said about 80 provincial roads or highways were damaged by flooding and storms.
Roughly 50% of those repairs have already been completed.
However, she said there was no current estimate for how many homes and businesses were damaged or how many people were displaced.
Recovery Efforts Being Coordinated
The province is coordinating recovery with local authorities and several organizations.
Support is coming from the office of the fire commissioner, Manitoba Hydro, the armed forces, charitable groups, the Emergency Management Organization, the Red Cross and Team Rubicon.
Kinew Says Disaster Assistance Must Change
Kinew said governments may need to rethink how they respond if major wildfires, floods and severe storms continue to happen more often.
He said disaster financial assistance was traditionally designed so municipalities and First Nations respond first, with the province and federal cost-sharing support coming later.
But he said waiting months for recovery funding no longer meets public expectations.
Faster Funding Could Become a Bigger Discussion
Kinew said advancing money earlier is a change he plans to raise at his next meeting with other premiers and the prime minister.
He said Manitobans now expect help as quickly as possible when they face repeated wildfires, flooding and severe storms.
Manitoba’s new flood recovery measures are aimed at getting money and support to affected residents faster.
With $500 advance payments, a one-time grant program, Red Cross assistance, Team Rubicon support and matched charitable donations, the province says help is already arriving and more is on the way.
Officials are also signalling that disaster response systems may need to evolve as extreme weather events become more frequent.