N.B. government announces Disaster Financial Assistance program after Fiona
Residents and businesses in New Brunswick impacted by post-tropical storm Fiona over the weekend can apply for aid through a provincial Disaster Financial Assistance program.
The program, announced by the provincial government on Sunday, seeks to help individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities that suffered property damage as a result of the storm.
Parts of New Brunswick reported significant damage from the storm, caused by wind gusts in excess of 100 kilometres per hour, as well as storm surge along the eastern coast that caused damage to homes, roads and bridges.
The Disaster Financial Assistance program was developed to help pay for eligible damage and losses that, according to the provincial government, “threaten the health and safety of individuals, municipalities and small businesses.”
The release stipulates that the program is “not a replacement for insurance,” and will only help with the basic costs of essential items. Camps, cottages, boats, automobiles and trailers are not eligible for disaster financial relief. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance provider for details about their coverage.
“We are prepared to help impacted New Brunswickers get back on their feet,” said Public Safety Minister Bill Hogan in the release. “I thank emergency responders, NB Power crews, New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization staff, and all those who have worked tirelessly over the past several days to restore services to New Brunswickers.”
As of 9:30 p.m. Sunday, nearly 10,000 NB Power customers remained in the dark.
According to the release, at the peak of the storm, there were about 17 bridges and roads closed. By 5 p.m. Sunday, that number dropped to just three roads remaining closed.
“Recovering from a storm like this will not be quick, but patience and thoughtfulness will go a long way to making it easier,” said Lisa Munn, acting director of the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, in the release. “The situation will improve if we all do our part to make it happen: stay out of the way of emergency responders and recovery workers, check on your neighbours and lend a hand where you can.”
Eligible recipients of the Disaster Financial Assistance program are asked to report damage by calling 1-888-298-8555 between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, or by registering online.
Residents are reminded to contact their insurance companies immediately to report data, as well as photograph any damage to their homes or properties. They’re also asked to keep receipts of any repairs and replacement purchases and log the number of hours of work undertaken for residents cleaning their properties or those who have assisted in the cleanup.
Once registered, recipients will have a Disaster Financial Assistance package mailed to them. Application packages are available online but require residents to register.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.