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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.