Emergency funds for High Level evacuees to start flowing by Monday
Posted May 24, 2019 3:45 pm.
Last Updated May 24, 2019 6:43 pm.
HIGH LEVEL, Alta. (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s municipal affairs minister says emergency funds should be available to northwestern Alberta fire evacuees by Monday.
Kaycee Madu says every adult will get $1,250–plus $500 for every dependent child– for gas, food and other expenses.
Madu says starting Sunday every adult evacuated will receive $1250 in emergency funding, dependents will receive $500. #yeg #yyc #ableg #abpoli
— Jenna Giles (@j_hamilton04) May 24, 2019
Evacuees can start applying for electronic transfers at noon on Sunday and pre-loaded debit cards can be picked up at reception centres on Monday.
About 5,000 people in High Level and surrounding communities have been out of their homes since the long weekend.
There is no timeline for when they will be able to return home.
“People need to be prepared to be out of their homes until probably Tuesday earliest before they can go back home, and probably longer before we actually allow evacuees back in. It really depends on the wind,” said Shane Schreiber, managing director, Alberta Emergency Management Agency.
Wind is expected to change on Sunday, crews will be watching the weather closely. #yeg #yyc #ableg #abpoli
— Jenna Giles (@j_hamilton04) May 24, 2019
Alberta wildfire officials expect the wind to pick up and change direction on Sunday.
The Chuckegg Creek fire now covers nearly 993 square kilometres, but for now, it is spreading away from the town.
–With files from the Canadian Press
