HAY RIVER - The extent of damage caused by spring breakup flooding of the Hay River early last month is becoming clearer.

A preliminary cost estimate has been made of damage to residences, small businesses and municipal infrastructure in Hay River and on the Hay River Reserve.

Damages to the Hay River Beach, including to the wooden walkway, are being repaired by the territorial government. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"The initial estimate right now is around a million dollars," said Kevin Rowe, the community emergency management co-ordinator with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

"I'm expecting it to go up, but not hugely up," said Rowe, adding the final cost for homes, small businesses and municipal infrastructure, primarily roads, might be about $1.5 million.

Rowe said the estimate is based on an initial visit by three insurance adjustors between May 12 and 14.

That estimate became part of a report to the territorial cabinet, which will make the final decision on whether the GNWT's Disaster Assistance Policy will kick in.

The report recommends the policy should be implemented.

The adjustors will be returning for a more detailed assessment at a later date.

The million-dollar estimate does not include damages to large businesses, most notably Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL), or territorial government property, such as the Hay River Beach.

Rowe said large companies can buy flood insurance, but such insurance is not available to homeowners and too expensive for small businesses.

MACA is currently accepting intent-to-claim forms from homeowners and small businesses affected by the flood. As of last week, 10 had been submitted.

Rowe said anyone seeking assistance should fill out an intent-to-claim form, which can be obtained at the Town Hall or from MACA.

Under the Disaster Assistance Policy, homeowners and small businesses can be reimbursed up to 80 per cent for damages to an individual limit of $100,000.

The town can also be reimbursed up to 80 per cent, but there is no limit.

Under the policy, reimbursement is provided for the cost of repairing or replacing essential property to pre-flood condition.

Homeowners pay for the first $1,000 of damages, although Rowe said anyone in financial hardship should apply even if damages are less than $1,000.

"We look at everyone individually," he said.

Rowe said adjustors found light to heavy damage to 40 properties on Hay River's Vale Island and five properties on the Hay River Reserve, including the historic St. Peter's Anglican Church.

It included such things as damaged insulation, sand in sewer tanks, water in crawl spaces, loss and erosion of fill, and damage to items in sheds.

Floodwater also got inside two or three homes, causing damage to floors and walls.

One home suffered an estimated $50,000 in damages.

Meanwhile, cleanup and repairs to the Hay River Beach are not expected to be finished until the middle of this month.

"We're hoping to have everything completed by about June 20," said Lloyd Jones, superintendent in the South Slave with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Jones said the department has removed debris and hazards, and put up warning signs.

The beach took a direct hit from the flooding, which left the beach covered in driftwood and mud. The flood also buckled sections of a wooden walkway.

Jones said the beach's playground equipment will be assessed to see if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.

Heavy equipment will also be brought in to remove large piles of driftwood just off the beach.

There is no estimate as yet of the cost to repair the beach.

As of last week, a barge owned by Northern Transportation Company Ltd. still remained grounded just off the beach.

Meanwhile on the Hay River Reserve, a decision has not been made on the future of St. Peter's Anglican Church, which was knocked off its foundation and severely damaged in the flood.

The building is owned by K'atlodeeche First Nation (KFN).

"We're going to do an evaluation and see what can be done," said Chief Alec Sunrise.

Prior to the flood, the KFN had been looking into acquiring funding to restore the church, which was built in 1909.

A spokesperson for NTCL said no cost estimate was available for damage to the company's property, including the shipyard.

Barges broken free during the flood, including the one off the Hay River Beach, will be recovered once repairs are made to a tug. Those repairs to the tug are unrelated to the flooding.