Grant scheme open to Caithness flood victims
HOMES and businesses in Caithness affected by flooding over the last eight months can apply for up to £1500 to go towards repair costs.
Highland Council has received funding from the Scottish Government to distribute grants to any household, business, community organisation or sports club that has been affected by flooding since July.
Last month Caithness was hit by flooding as rivers burst their banks and drains were unable to cope with the deluge of water.
The grant is a one-off payment designed to offset costs which cannot be covered by existing insurance, such clean-up costs, materials and exceptional costs to help businesses restore trade, such as marketing and promotion.
The grant can be used to help householders and businesses owners to protect their properties against future flooding by installing new flood barriers or carrying out flood resilient repairs such as replacing doors and windows with water resistant alternatives or moving electricity sockets up to a safer level.
Owners of farmhouses and farm buildings such as grain stores are eligible to apply for a grant but this does not apply for empty sheds or other buildings where there was no real impact to the farm business.
As well as these allocations, the Scottish Government will provide funding to local authorities to enable them to make a flat-rate grant payment of £3000 for businesses where there is evidence that their ability to trade has been severely impacted by flooding at any point since July.
For more information visit Highland Council’s website.