Feds send additional troops to help with Fiona cleanup in Cape Breton
More troops are on the way to help Cape Bretoners cleanup from Fiona.
The federal government says 200 additional military personnel are being deployed, as a local state of emergency remains in effect.
Still, there appears to be some progress. Nova Scotia Power says about 89 per cent of customers in Cape Breton have been reconnected.
Sean Casey’s property is still littered with debris. His house and vehicle are both significantly damage. The worst part is he doesn’t have insurance.
“The pole was split in half and ripped the power stack from the house,” Casey tells CTV Atlantic. “We have extensive siding damage. Our roof got damaged.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Casey’s neighbourhood last week, promising residents they’d be looked after, but he’s still waiting for assistance.”
“We haven’t had an estimate or haven’t had an adjustor or anybody look at it yet, but it’s obvious we’re a little over our heads here and we’d appreciate some help,” Casey added.
On Sunday morning, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand announced an additional 200 military personnel are being sent to Cape Breton to complement the approximately 350 troops already on the ground. According to Anand, they will help clear debris around properties to allow crews to work to restore power.
“We’re going to have to look at those that don’t have insurance, and there are a lot of them because it is very difficult to afford it on fixed income. We will work hand in glove with the provincial government to come up with solutions for those individuals,” said N.S. Liberal MP Mike Kelloway.
Nova Scotia Power says damage in Cape Breton is due primarily to hundreds of broken poles and downed lines due to fallen trees. Washed-out roads are also limiting access and making it difficult for crews to move around.
“We’re nine days without power --- 204 hours to be exact,” said Sydney resident Tracey Hilliard.
Restoration time for Hilliard is not until Wednesday, but she says she’ll be surprised if they have it by then.
“It’s almost funny to say you’re getting a little bit used to it,” Hilliard said. “Of course it plays on your mind and makes you a little bit weary, but you get used to the routine of turning the generator on and turning it off.”
Schools under Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education and the Strait Regional Centre for Education are expected to resume classes on Monday. Classes at Cape Breton University are also set to reopen Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.