Emergency Response and Recovery Update: August 20, 2014

Released on August 20, 2014

• For the 2014 heavy rain events, PDAP has approved 283 municipalities for designation under the program.  In total, PDAP has received 2,415 claims.
• As claims are submitted they are triaged to determine if they qualify for a $3,000 emergency advance on the total claim.  To date, 102 claims have triggered a $3,000 emergency advance payment for a total of $306,000.  Emergency advance payments are provided to an eligible claimant within 10 days of submitting their completed application.  The emergency advances are sent to the claimant via Xpress post.
• Once an eligible claimant submits their completed application, an adjuster will review the damages.  Claimants can generally expect a payment within 90 days of the adjuster’s visit.
• For more information on PDAP, or to begin the claims process, contact 1-866-632-4033 or visit http://gr.gov.sk.ca/PDAP.

• Warm, dry weather has helped a number of areas across the province but more will be needed moving forward as many lakes remain above normal and will be for the rest of the recreational season.
• Areas with a closed basin like the Quill Lakes remain well above normal because there is no natural drainage or outlet.  These lakes will continue to remain well above normal for the foreseeable future.
• Big Quill Lake is at 520.21m and Little Quill Lake is at 520.25m., down slightly from peak levels.
• Last Mountain Lake is declining.  High flows from Last Mountain Lake will keep the Qu’Appelle River and downstream lakes above normal levels throughout the rest of the summer.
• Water Security Agency has added information on the rate of decline of Last Mountain Lake after previous floods to its website as this shows the likely rate of decline this year.
• Emma and Christopher Lakes remain above normal.
  • Emma Lake is currently at 515.96m
  • Christopher Lake is currently at 514.981m

• The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure continues to repair flood-damaged roads, bridges and culverts to restore full access for motorists in the southeast and east central parts of the province.
• Highway 22 west of Killaly at Pearl Creek and Highway 229 west of the junction with Highway 9 remain closed during repairs.  Local detours will continue to accommodate traffic.
• Repairs are also underway to bridges on Highway 18 near the junction with Highway 8 and Highway 8 north of the north junction with Highway 22.  Traffic is reduced to one lane at both locations and a 20-tonne gross vehicle weight restriction is in place at the latter.  Motorists may encounter rough patches, soft spots or reduced speeds at these and other locations.  All drivers are reminded to obey flagpersons and slow to the posted speed during construction.
• Current road conditions, including traffic restrictions are available on the Highway Hotline at www.saskatchewan.ca/live/transportation/highway-hotline or by calling 1-888-335-7623.

• The Agriculture Knowledge Centre (1-866-457-2377) is available to respond to concerns from farmers and ranchers regarding the flooding situation, and to provide agronomic information and program advice.
• Producers are also reminded of the Ministry’s Forage, Feed and Custom Service Listing, which can be found at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/FeedForageListing.

• Producers have been contacting their local Crop Insurance offices to report crop damage from the heavy rain event in late June and from storm activity in areas around the province.
• As of August 18, 2014, SCIC has received 1,168 pre-harvest claims* from producers.  A pre-harvest claim is filed when the producer decides not to harvest the damaged crop and puts that crop to an alternate use (i.e. spraying for weed control).  Please note, some of these claims are from other storm and hail activity in the province. 
• All Crop Insurance customers are covered for flooding on insured crops through the multi-peril yield-loss program.  The majority of claims from the heavy rain event in late June will be filed in the fall, following harvest, as producers measure whether their actual crop production meets their insured production.