Sydney homeowners unhappy with flood compensation offers

Some Sydney homeowners hit hardest in the Thanksgiving Day flood are unhappy with compensation offered by the Nova Scotia government.

Emergency Measures Office officials have begun meeting with the 18 homeowners in Sydney whose houses had been issued "no-occupancy" orders.

Tom MacNeil, whose home was under four metresof water on Thanksgiving, said he believesthe offer made by the province to buy his property is too low.

• VIDEO: Drone footage of Sydney flood

He said his tax assessment is $193,600 and was surprised whenEMO instead offered him$171,000 in compensation.

"Why is it acceptable when they are taking our money, that they will give a higher evaluationand when they are giving their money, they are giving a lower evaluation?"

The government is offeringtobuy the 18 homes. Ifthe homeowner agrees to the sale, the province has said it will thendemolish the residence and clean up contaminants on the property such as oil.

Doesn't 'scratch the surface'

Flood victimRobin Nathanson was also upset after meeting with an EMO official.

"We weren't given very good news," he said.

• Sydney flood evacuees return home to devastation

The contents of his home were evaluated at $16,200.

"That barely even begins to scratch the surface," he said.

Option to get second opinion

But ZachChurchill, the minister responsible for EMO, told CBC Cape Breton's Information Morning that the relief program has limits.

For example, he said, it wouldn't replace "high-end" appliances.

• Cape Breton flood damage may not be covered by standard insurance

"[The compensation]would provide the appliance, but probably a more basic model."

If homeowners are unhappy with their appraisals, they have the option to get a second oneat the province's expense, he said.

MacNeilsaidhe is getting a second appraisal.