Assessors arrive in High River, to make decisions on flood-damaged homes

CALGARY- It’s taken months of anxiously waiting, but finally homeowners in High River are about to learn if their homes will be torn down—or repaired.

The government-contracted company Landlink arrived in the flood-ravaged town on Wednesday, where they will assess uninhabitable homes to make a final decision about whether or not they can be saved.

“They are trying to tend to the hardest hit homes first, to bring clarity to the landowners,” says homeowner Lisa Szabon-Smith. “We’re hoping we’re on that list, we’re hoping our neighbours are on that list as well, so we can at least sleep well tonight with the knowledge that there’s another step forward.”

One couple says not only was their home damaged, but they also lost their business and so far have received no help from the Disaster Recovery Program.

“We expect we are going to get help, but we keep calling and we didn’t get any,” complains Dan Burdett.

“It’s very emotional, because our grocery store is our main income, so our bills keep coming,” adds his wife, Evelyn.

Landlink’s assessment are expected to take a couple of weeks.