The City of North Battleford is evaluating and cleaning up messes and front line staff at City Hall is still accepting and encouraging flood victims to report their situations by calling 445-1700.
A local state of emergency remains in place for North Battleford after the city was walloped by a severe thunderstorm and hail on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday morning, North Battleford City Council unanimously approved a resolution to apply to the province for assistance under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP). Following a tour of the area on Friday afternoon, the Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing stated that the city was approved for the PDAP. Information for residents on how to apply will be available at the Recovery and Relief Centre from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Centre is located in the Don Ross Centre on 99th Street.
The Recovery and Relief Centre is serving as a “one stop shop” for residents affected by the July 22nd flood. Representatives from the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP), City of North Battleford (Building Inspectors), Canadian Red Cross, Victim Services and Public Health will be among agencies available between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The inquiry line is 446-0100 and will be open starting Saturday and Sunday.
The City continues to be in “Recovery Mode” and Firefighters, along with Bylaw Officers and members of the RCMP, are continuing door-to-door checks over the weekend to identify structural issues, provide information and clean-up guidelines for affected residents.
There are 170 confirmed homes that were flooded, mainly located east of the downtown core. The Red Cross has registered 36 families and Social Services has placed 9 families in hotels.
The Red Cross and Social Services are assisting with efforts and have clean-up kits and a guide to flood recovery available. 36 families numbering 87 individuals have been displaced by the flooding and are now in alternate accommodations. The City reports they have been inundated with calls Friday morning and expect the number of calls to increase significantly.
Fire and Emergency Services are coordinating a door-to-door check on homes in affected areas.
City Staff, the Mayor and Council put the Emergency Measures Plan into action during the storm and have set up an Emergency Operations Centre at North Battleford Fire and Emergency Services. Emergency Operations Meetings involving City Officials, RCMP, Public Health, Red Cross, SaskPower and SaskEnergy are being held as new developments arise and at regular intervals.
The city has placed two large dumpsters in the hardest hit areas for disposal of flood damage material only. As well, landfill hours have been extended to include Sundays for the next three weeks. Residents are advised to contact City staff at the landfill if they are dropping off flood damaged material and to keep their receipts for possible refunds.
Residents are also being advised to take photos and make lists of discarded items during the clean-up process.
Important Phone Numbers
Advisories
Facts (updated July 24, 2010 from the City of North Battleford)
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