Photo submitted by Rhonda Konrad
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout continues to explore all recovery assistance options available resulting from last Wednesday’s violent storm.
Officials ask that anyone who has experienced damage to their home or property to work with their insurance provider to recover the cost of repairs.
Assistance may become available through Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians if it’s determined that the area is eligible.
Some key points for eligibility include:
-Residents must go through their private insurance first.
-Only costs over and above private insurance may be eligible for DRAO funding, including a $500 deductible.
-The decision to activate the DRAO program (or not) from the Minister’s office is forthcoming as damages are assessed and become more evident.
-The program assists with main residential essential needs. Things like boats, docks, cottages and recreation homes are not eligible.
Officials note that eligibility for the DRAO has not been determined and home owners should not try applying for relief at this time.
Additionally, the Municipality will be exploring eligibility for the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance.
The MDRA program helps municipalities recover from extraordinary costs after a natural disaster.
The program requires:
-The Municipality must first go through its private insurance.
-Costs must meet 3% of the municipality’s Own Purpose Taxation, which is $290,513 (based on Sioux Lookout’s 2019 financial indicator report).
-The municipality must provide a Council resolution confirming their intention to apply for MDRA funding within 120 calendar days of June 23, 2021.
-All costs (staffing, equipment rentals, etc.) continue to be monitored.
Sioux Lookout has also launched a Storm Damage Survey for residents.
The Municipality is trying to determine the extent of the damage and losses.
The results of the survey will be used solely to help determine what options for assistance may be available.
Anyone who experienced storm damage is asked to complete the by Sioux Lookout Storm Damage Survey by Friday, July 23 at11:59 p.m.
Meantime, the Municipality is opening the Hidden Lake Landfill Sunday from 10 a.m until 4:00 p.m. to accept trees and brush only.
Regular household garbage can be still be dropped off during regular landfill hours, including Saturday.
Hours of operation can be found at Hidden Lake Landfill Information
