More cash for flood victims By Kevin Werner/News staff

City financial staff are estimating residential claims for Hamilton’s two summer floods could top $11 million.

Politicians this week approved a staff recommendation to boost the $5,000 compassionate grant to $6,000 for flooding victims who have been denied flood insurance. The additional grant is estimated to cost about $5 million.

Last month councillors approved a flood compensation package that included raising the compassionate grant from $750 to $1,000; providing $5,000 to homeowners who don’t have insurance, or were unable to buy flood insurance; and create a mitigation program, that includes $2,000 per household, that had experienced multiply floods.

Politicians and staff are also allowing victims of the Aug. 29 flooding to apply for compensation, joining homeowners who experienced the July 26 event. About 6,700 claims are expected from both floods.

City officials say up to 15 per cent of the applicants could be eligible for the maximum compassionate grant, at an upward cost of about $6 million.

About 80 per cent of 6,700 victims could make claims for the $1,000 compassionate grant, say city finance officials.