By Marcia Love
As Maple Creek’s state of emergency remains in effect, Mayor Barry Rudd said the focus of the clean up is now on getting displaced families into long-term accommodations.
There were 222 people who were unable to stay in their homes following the flood.
Many of these people have since returned to their homes, but as of June 27, there were 28 families whose homes were considered unfit to live in due to flooding.
These families remain in hotels and motels, with the accommodation costs covered by social services.
“Our big concern right now is the people and how we can get them into a permanent residence,” Rudd said. “We’ve been talking with officials at Premier Wall’s office and social services, and we’re developing a long-term plan here.”
Rudd said he would like to see at least 50 trailer units made available to displaced residents.
“We’ve got a zero vacancy in town now,” he explained. “There’s nowhere else for families to stay.”
The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) has processed between 600 and 700 damage claims from Maple Creek residents affected by the flood, but PDAP reported it expects to see these numbers reach as high as 1,600 in the area.
PDAP adjusters are in the community assessing damages to homes and businesses. Eligible claimants are receiving advance payments of $3,000 within 14 days of their claim, with a possible 40 per cent advance within three to six months.
Rudd said the response from the provincial government is excellent.
“I can’t believe the amount of support we are getting from the government,” he said. “They’re keeping in contact with us every day and that’s something, because there’s 18 municipalities across the province that are in a state of emergency right now. We’ve had probably one of the most frightful floods, so we’re very fortunate to see (this assistance).”
Captain Ed Dean of The Salvation Army and Emergency Measures Organization said it is great to see clean-up efforts throughout the community.
“I think we’re starting to see the town look a little bit more normal,” he noted. “For a small community, we’ve seen a lot happening in just two weeks.”
Captain Ed said many people have used the EMO services supplied to them.
“There’s been likely over 200 clean-up kits go out from the fire hall, and those are still available,” he said.
The feeding centre which was set up at the Legion closed on June 30, but social services and mental health services remain available.
“Those that are housed at hotels are now being looked after by social services and are having meals provided to them by the local restaurants, so there was no longer the need for (the feeding centre),” Captain Ed explained.
The Mennonite Central Committee of Saskatoon was in Maple Creek last week to assist with the clean-up process.
A furniture donation depot is in the process of being set up at the rink next week, where people may drop off any good furniture for those who received flood damage.