Yorkton Council paved the way Monday for residents to seek provincial funding for damage occurring due to flooding July 31.
At its regular meeting Council was unanimous in supporting a motion to apply to the Ministry of Government Relations to be designated an eligible assistance area under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP), which provides financial assistance for restoring essential services and property as a result of substantial damages caused by a rain event.
On Sunday, July 31st, downpour rains were recorded at 51.3 mm (2.1 inches) in less than an hour. Further reports suggest between two and five inches (depending upon location) over a two hour time frame. This compares to the July 1, 2010 flood of three inches in 45 minutes. Given the amount of rainfall, our system handled the event significantly better than in 2010, but flooding in certain areas continues to be a problem, explained City Manager Lonnie Kaal.
Historical and statistical data (from 1970 to 2003) is used to determine the one in 100 or one in 200 year rain event. Obviously rainfall in recent years is significantly more than historical records. The July 31, rainfall statistically approaches the one in 200 year event. Statistics are based on amount of rainfall and period of time
Kaal said cities are not designed to deal with such massive rainfalls over such a short time frame.
“Engineered designs are based on key assumptions such as the ability of the ground to absorb water, and the area of land draining. Most underground drainage systems were designed for a one in five year event. This is equivalent to 6/10th’s of an inch of water in 15 minutes or approximately one inch of water an hour. Thereafter, water runs overland (curb to curb) and ponds until the underground system rids itself of the surcharging (usually within 45 minutes). This works for most streets except those in low lying areas as the water collects from too large of an area (multiple blocks) and then has nowhere to go (e.g. McDonald’s location),” detailed a report circulated to Council.
“Many cities utilize overland drainage (ponds in residential neighbourhoods), but Yorkton’s problem areas are in older sections of the City and these solutions are not an option. We do have credible data on the recent rain events and are currently working on possible solutions for targeted areas that have had flooding three times in the last six years. These will be brought forward in the 2017 budget deliberations.”
Kaal said it is not known what the full of extent of damages July 31 are, but they are estimating 75 homes.
In general the current system in the city worked well, stared the report with “wastewater plant data indicated that the sewage system worked.”
In order for residents to qualify for assistance, the City has to make an application to be designated an eligible assistance area. The City does not need to declare a state of emergency in order for our residents to get assistance.
The City itself can apply for assistance but is subject to the deductible of .1 per cent of our taxable assessment which would be a $1,173,500 deductible.
The City is “tracking all costs and will include the aftermath of drainage issues including sink holes under pavement, gravel washed away from alleys, replacement of materials at the landfill and parks, catch basins that need replacement, etc. Also, we will be testing the culverts under Highway #10 (outfall) which may require replacement. We may not be successful, but hope to submit a claim on behalf of the City in addition to those that our residents will submit,” detailed the report.
