The B.C. government said Monday that it’s willing to talk to flood-stricken homeowners on Vancouver Island who fall outside the scope of emergency disaster assistance.

Solicitor General Kash Heed said it’s “unfortunate” some homeowners in the Cowichan and Comox valleys are upset in the wake of last week’s flooding. But the disaster-aid program is designed for people who live in their primary residence and that rule is consistent with other disaster-assistance programs across Canada, Heed said.

“That said, I understand there may be some people that may be affected, such as the landholders,” he said. “And we’ll work with them, and work with local governments, to make sure we deal with everyone who is affected by this unfortunate circumstance.”

The province hoped to have all affected buildings inspected by late Monday, said Heed. It should begin issuing money within 30 days, he said.

Premier Gordon Campbell told reporters he hopes the province can help everyone affected by the floods.

“We sure hope so, that’s the whole object of the exercise,” he said. “These are awfully difficult times for families, and we’ve had staff up there the last few days to try and make sure people understand what we’ve got to do, and we’re going to try and get them through it together.”

Flood victims in Cowichan, Nanaimo and Comox, which flooded earlier in the week, are eligible for coverage of up to 80 per cent of claims exceeding $1,000 for essential structural damage and content replacement. Overland flood insurance is not available in B.C.

Meanwhile, the evacuation order was lifted at 9:20 a.m. Monday for Duncan and North Cowichan residents affected by Friday’s flood.

But residents were back in their homes starting their salvage efforts long before that.

“They were told right at the get-go, even though there was an evacuation order to get going to this. The sooner that you can get this process started, the quicker you can get it back together and have these residences habitable again,” said North Cowichan chief building inspector Bruce Oliphant.

The order for residents to abandon their homes was issued as part of the declaration of state of local emergency at 7 a.m. Friday, but by Sunday neighbours were already at work helping each other.

On Monday morning, Duncan Mayor Phil Kent met with emergency personnel as at least one school remained closed and the city braced for more rain.

“Water levels are still fairly high,” Kent said. “We certainly don’t want a recurrence of last week.”

Temporary dikes are being evaluated and rivers are being watched as the region waits for more rain expected early this week.

More rain, a total of about 50 millimetres, was forecast for Vancouver Island’s central coast Monday and Wednesday, but “it will take a massive rainfall now to get any flooding at all,” said David Jones, Environment Canada weather specialist.

“Because the snow pack is so deep, it will absorb all but the most extreme of rainfalls,” Jones said. “Fifty millimetres is no problem.”

Classes were cancelled Monday and will be again today at Alexander Elementary in North Cowichan as the region continues to monitor the floodwaters that turned the school’s Beverly Street playgrounds into a lake.

Quamichan Middle School, located just west of Alexander and farther from the floodplain, reopened Monday.

Both schools were closed Friday after heavy flooding caused by rain and high tides forced a massive evacuation and the declaration of a state of emergency for North Cowichan, Duncan and Cowichan Tribes lands.

A news release on the North Cowichan school district's website Monday night said: "Alexander Elementary students have been called back for school on Wednesday, Nov. 25, following three days of school closure due to flooding. However, the continued presence of floodwaters in the school means students will be housed with their teachers at Quamichan Middle School.

“At this point in time, we are not prepared to put students or staff in Alexander Elementary until the flood situation has stabilized,” says District 79 Superintendent Dan Boudreault. “However, we are prepared to bring Alexander students back to a safe school environment.”

Because floodwaters continue to recede and restoration crews expect to begin the clean up process this week, Alexander teaching staff and district staff have agreed the best solution is to

house Alexander students at Quamichan for the next few days.

District maintenance staff will be moving classroom furniture from Alexander, including chairs, desks and tables, to available classroom space at Quamichan today.

“We ask that students come to Alexander Elementary on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. and gather in the covered area outside at the front of the school,” says Boudreault. From there,

students will move with their teachers to Quamichan Middle School.

“It would be helpful during this transition if parents and guardians could drop-off students as close to 9 a.m. as possible to ensure students are taken by their teachers to the correct

classroom at Quamichan Middle School.”

Parents can expect notices from Alexander staff during the next few days providing important information and updates on the situation.

Parents and guardians are reminded Wednesday is a scheduled early dismissal day, and all Alexander students will be dismissed at 1:15 pm.

In addition, buses may be running up to 30 minutes late on morning and afternoon runs due to road closures in the flood zone.

Meanwhile, inspectors on rapid-damage-assessment teams from the provincial emergency program continued to go door-to-door Monday morning to assess whether or not they are safe to inhabit.

Non-governmental agencies including the Canadian Red Cross were also in motion to help meet immediate needs — such as food and clothing — for those who fall through the gaps for provincial funding.

Island Savings Credit Union has opened an account for people wishing to donate funds to help Cowichan Valley flood victims.

The bank will match up to $50,000 of community donations and says the fund was established to assist people until provincial funds are available.

“Flood victims face a number of challenges, especially since many people affected are on fixed incomes and have no means to pay for these unexpected expenses,” said Island Savings vice-president Randy Bertsch.

ceharnett@tc.canwest.com