September 24, 1999
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Minister travels to St. Bride's to assess storm damages

Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, along with his senior engineering and Emergeny Measures officials, travelled to the town of St. Bride's today to assess damages that were caused by high waves, driven by winds associated with hurricane Gert.

The minister said that while the municipal-related damages were not serious, the wind storm caused significant damages to the fish plant, the concrete spray wall which serves as a breakwater for the harbour and that it resulted in the destruction of boats and the loss of much fishing equipment.

Mr. Matthews said the damage assessment was carried out in cooperation with Mayor Elaine Dalton of St. Bride's. The officials also met with the harbour master at St. Brides as well as representatives of the town's fisheries committee. The minister said he was pleased that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans had conducted its own assessment of the damages. DFO plans to bring in divers to survey the harbour damage as soon as the seas calm.

Mr. Matthews said: "Residents of St. Bride's reported that the waves were 45 feet high and that they were smashing against the many boats tied up in the harbour. The force of the waves was such that it was impossible for fishermen to secure their boats and a number of boats were lost when they capsized and others were extensively damaged."

Mr. Matthews said the salt water system in the fish plant was damaged and will require repairs before it can re-open. The minister has discussed the fisheries-related damages with his colleague John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and fully apprised him of the damages.

The minister said municipal infrastructure damages were confined to the road entering the harbour and wharf area.

Mr. Matthews said: "The high winds pushed debris onto the roads and shoulders were damaged in a number of places and my department provided some emergency funding to the town of St. Bride's to assist them with their clean-up operations." He also indicated his department would follow-up with the town on more permanent repairs which may be required to roads and municipal infrastructure. The minister said he proposes to brief his colleague Rick Woodford, the Minister of Works, Services and Transportation as it relates to road damages.

The minister stressed that his department, and other provincial departments, will continue to work with federal agencies and the town to assist in the restoration work needed to bring the area back into full operation.

Media contact: Gary Callahan, (709) 729-3015.

1999 09 24 5:15 p.m.