The Manitoba government will make disaster financial assistance available after the thanksgiving weekend storm of 2019.

12 and a half million dollars will be claimable after parts of the province were battered by snow, wind, and widespread power outages.

Premier Brian Pallister says the storm has cost hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

"The storm had a significant, widespread impact across much of the province. It created an unreasonable financial burden for residents and municipalities," says Pallister, "Our program will help eligible homeowners, municipalities, farmers, and small business people to recover and rebuild from the damage caused by the storm and to do so in as timely a manner as is possible."

He adds it will cover some of the cost of evacuation, municipal response, repair to damaged infrastructure, and non-insurable damage to principal residences that are essential to the operation of eligible farms and buildings. He estimates that there will be 20 municipalities filing claims.

He says there was widespread damage in the province

"We know that the city of Winnipeg was significantly affected, but also communities in Central Manitoba. Portage la Prairie, my home town, and the municipality had been very significantly hit as well, and many other communities around the province. We'll look forward to helping them with the processes."

Here's how you can apply for financial assistance.

"Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization will be responsible for the administration of the program. Applications and further details are available through the Emergency Measures Organization, and we encourage all of those impacted by the storm to contact EMO for further information. The government is working very hard to keep Manitobans safe."

You cand find the EMO website here or contact them at 204-945-3050. Applications are also available at most municipal offices.