Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Cypress County denied Disaster Financial Assistance for 2022 tornado

Feb 28, 2023 | 5:23 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – On July 18, 2022, a tornado ripped through Cypress County, causing extensive damage to homes and properties along Highway 523.

The municipal government applied for Disaster Financial Assistance, but was notified on Feb. 6, that the losses did not qualify for financial assistance.

According to the Government of Alberta website, the Disaster Recovery Program is available in the following situations: extraordinary events, losses not covered by insurance and widespread damage to property. In addition, residents must have adequate insurance to submit a claim.

Steven Toews, director of corporate services at Cypress County, says extraordinary disasters, such as tornadoes, are generally covered for non-insurable losses.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

8h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

The application was submitted on Oct. 14, 2022, and 36 out of 42 residents from Cypress County, who resided in the critical tornado area, made non-insurable claims – along with the county – for a total of $300,000.

However, the Government of Alberta notified Cypress County that the losses are insurable.

Toews says the county will appeal the decision and retract the original application.

“This application is truly an application of the heart. The non-insurable losses that Cypress County incurred – we can recover from those, we can absorb those. But this is truly an appeal of the heart to the minister to take another look at it. This is very devastating for these people and the county is looking to do anything they can to help these folks out,” said Toews.

“It’s got deep cuts. There’s lots of scarring with an event like that, so the physical repairs are underway. I know they’re not all complete at the time, but some of these other things take time to work through in your mind,” said Toews.

The county does not know when the appeal decision will be re-addressed.