Health and Safety
There are many things to consider during a flood, but your health and safety should always be your top priority. Keep in mind the potential hazards that may exist when re-entering your home after a flood.
Asbestos Removal
Homeowners need to be aware that houses built before the mid-1980s may contain asbestos materials. Some of these materials include drywall mud, ceiling tiles, insulation, and floor tiles. Remember that in many older homes, materials may have been replaced over the years. New materials are not likely to contain asbestos.
The safest way to identify and remove asbestos materials is to hire an environmental consultant to assess the property and have a qualified contractor remove any asbestos materials. Qualified contractors wear specialized personal protective equipment and have expert knowledge and techniques to avoid asbestos exposure. Anyone working on asbestos removal should follow the protocols and procedures found in the Alberta Asbestos Abatement Manual. Please visit Alberta Health Services online for additional Asbestos Information for Flood-Affected Homeowners.
Mould Removal
Mould growth is common in water-damaged homes and buildings. Because exposure to indoor mould growth can result in various health hazards (including difficulty breathing, skin rashes, and nose, eye, and throat irritation) it’s important to remove mould-damaged materials and repair mould-damaged areas quickly and safely. Please visit Alberta Health Services online for more information on mould in homes here, or view their resource for Mould Remediation in Private Homes.
Insurance
For all insurance-related questions, contact your insurance provider. If you have broad insurance questions, you can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) by calling 1-844-227-5422 or via email at askibcwest@ibc.ca.
IBC has consumer information centers in each of its regional offices to address your specific questions. If IBC’s information officers do not know the answers to your questions, they will direct you to someone who does.
Restoring and Rebuilding
Mackenzie County is here to support flood-affected residents in restoring and repairing homes, businesses, and communities. Flood-affected properties identified to be habitable within 180 days were issued temporary permits.
Mackenzie County Council has approved development permit restrictions for Fort Vermilion residences within the hamlet’s floodplain zone. Temporary development permits can be obtained for the following repair work:
- Insulation and vapor barrier on exterior walls;
- Insulation, sealing, and sheeting dividing walls between multi-unit dwellings to meet Minimum Requirements;
- HVAC, plumbing, heating, and electrical work to restore functionality to pre-flood functionality;
- Temporary, unfinished walls to define bedrooms and bathrooms.
Affected residents can call 780-927-3718 to obtain their development or safety codes permits including building, gas, plumbing, and electrical.
Development Permit fees are an eligible expense under the Government of Alberta’s Disaster Recovery Program. Any home mitigation measures initiated by property owners without prior approval through the Disaster Recovery Program will likely jeopardize future eligibility or may not be reimbursed through DRP.
The moratorium remains in place restricting development on all properties within the areas impacted by the flood in Mackenzie County. No Development Permits will be issued on vacant properties or for rebuilds until further notice. Additional development restrictions may be imposed as the mitigation strategy is developed.
Relocation continues for businesses and residents located within the floodplain.