Prentice to make Disaster Relief announcement in High River

CALGARY – The fallout continues from news that mould has returned in a number of High River homes, a year and a half after the flood waters receded.

Blaine Astra lost everything in the flood, including his home in The Hamptons.

“The stress levels I tell you…just…it was horrid.”

Astra was forced to declare bankruptcy after being denied any government compensation.

He says he is even more frustrated knowing that the Alberta government spent millions of dollars remediating homes in other hard hit neighbourhoods, only to have the mould return.

Homes in the high end estate community of Beachwood were bought out by the province to get them out of the floodway. The homes sit vacant while the government assesses whether to sell them, move them or demolish them.

In Wallaceville, the other neighbourhood in the floodway, only two residents remain, including Tyler Kinghorn.

‘It’s still home it’s just different. I don’t have as many neighbors… kind of lonesome.”

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Many in High River are in a state of limbo, as they hold out for a buyout, while others realize they may not get anything at all.

“It was tough on all of us and I think the people that are suffering the most need the most help and the government is not giving them financial aid.”

Premier Prentice, Municipal Affairs Minister Diana McQueen, and MLA Danielle Smith will be making an announcement on the Disaster Relief Program on Saturday afternoon in High River.