Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for eligible British Columbians who have been affected by the flooding that began on May 7, 2018.

This DFA is available in the geographic areas within the Regional Districts of Kootenay Boundary, Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan, Columbia Shuswap and North Okanagan (including electoral areas, municipalities and First Nations communities).

DFA is available to eligible homeowners, residential tenants, small business owners, farmers, charitable organizations and local government bodies that were unable to obtain insurance to cover disaster-related losses.

“The flood damage I saw in Grand Forks is nothing short of devastating,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “I want Grand Forks, and other B.C. communities hard-hit by flooding, to know that the Province is here to help now and for the long term. We are making this funding available to help residents, local governments and First Nations rebuild, so they can begin the process of healing.”

This DFA authorization follows earlier announcements in the northeast and the central interior regions due to flooding. Applications for this DFA authorization must be submitted to Emergency Management BC (EMBC) by Aug. 2, 2018.

British Columbians can access the DFA applications for all eligible events online: http://www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance

Quick Facts:

DFA is available to qualifying homeowners, residential tenants, small business owners, farm owners and charitable organizations. Applicants should be aware of the following:

• Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000, to a maximum claim of $300,000.
• Claims may be made in more than one category (e.g., homeowner and farm owner).
• A homeowner or residential tenant must show that the home is their principal residence.
• Seasonal or recreational properties, hot tubs, patios, pools, garden tools, landscaping, luxury items (such as jewelry, fur coats and collectibles) and recreational items (such as bicycles) are not eligible for assistance.
• Small business owners and farm owners must demonstrate that their farms and businesses are their primary source of income.
• Charitable organizations must provide a benefit of service to the community at large.

Assistance is also available to local governments for:

• Emergency response measures authorized by EMBC according to response task number. These include incremental costs associated with their emergency operations centres. Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100%. Completed response claim summaries and supporting documentation must be sent to the respective EMBC regional office.
• Recovery measures to replace essential materials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster. Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80% of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000.

Learn More:

For more information on B.C.’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/DisasterFinancialAssistance

For information on flood-related evacuation alerts and orders, visit: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
Or follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC

PreparedBC is British Columbia's one-stop shop for disaster readiness information. For tips on how to prepare an emergency plan and what to include in an emergency kit, visit PreparedBC: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC

Flood prevention tips can be found here: http://ow.ly/E2JV30bttgr

The PreparedBC Flood Information for Homeowners and Home Buyers guide: http://ow.ly/t4lg30bttjr

River Forecast Centre link: http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/

Floodwaters can quickly wash out roads and bridges. Be prepared and plan an alternative route. For the latest road conditions, visit: www.drivebc.ca

A backgrounder follows.