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Municipal Affairs
Transportation and Works
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
November 17, 2010
Ministers Provide Update on Hurricane Igor
Recovery Process
Following the devastation of Hurricane Igor in
many areas throughout northeastern Newfoundland, the Provincial
Government continues to make steady progress in assisting residents in
their recovery efforts. Today, the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency
Services; the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and
Works; and, the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment, provided an update on the work ongoing in their
departments, assisting those impacted by Hurricane Igor.
"As we work with residents, adjusters,
engineers, and contractors, we are putting back the pieces following
such an unprecedented event in our province's history," said Minister
O'Brien. "The lives of many of our residents have been forever changed
by Hurricane Igor, and our government remains committed to the recovery
process. We are diligently working to process applications for disaster
assistance as quickly as possible and claims are being settled daily."
Fire and Emergency Services — Newfoundland and
Labrador (FES-NL) has received over 1,300 personal and small business
applications for the provincial Disaster Assistance Program. Impacts
range from damaged driveway and contents claims for flooded basements to
permanent loss of homes.
"Ever since Hurricane Igor tore through our
province in September, repairing damage to our road network has been one
of our top priorities," said Minister Hedderson. "We are continuing to
make steady progress toward restoring our highway infrastructure and we
remind motorists to keep safety top of mind and to continue to use
caution when travelling throughout areas impacted by the storm."
The Department
of Transportation and Works is continuing work towards permanent repairs
to storm damaged roads and bridges. For routes 210 and 220 on the Burin
Peninsula and routes 230 and 235 on the Bonavista Peninsula, with the
exception of the one-lane bridge in Plate Cove East, work is ongoing to
restore these routes to two lanes and have them paved before the onset
of winter. Repairs on other routes are proceeding with the expectation
that most will be restored to two lanes for the winter, provided the
weather conditions allow. Considerable work will remain to be completed
in 2011 including, but not limited to, paving work, bridge replacement
and additional reinforcement of larger culverts.
"As Minister Responsible for Emergency Social
Services, I recognize that the past two months have been a difficult
time for many families and individuals throughout the province dealing
with the impacts of Hurricane Igor," said Minister Sullivan. "Our
government is beginning to see fewer residents requiring emergency
social services, primarily accommodations, clothing and furniture;
however, I assure all affected residents that our government's level of
support will continue until such time as repairs are complete and
residents return to their homes or find permanent accommodations
elsewhere."
The Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment's Emergency Social Services Division has seen a continued
decrease in the number of displaced families requiring assistance.
Currently, the Provincial Department is assisting 35 families with rent
or board and lodging, down from 39 the week previous as families return
home following repairs.
"While I understand the untold turmoil this
event has brought to many of our people and our families, I am
encouraged to see the process moving more quickly than it has for
previous events," said Minister O'Brien. "I continue to be impressed by
the resilience of residents and the many community volunteers and
Provincial Government employees involved in efforts on the front lines.
We fully intend to assess the impacts of and response to Hurricane Igor,
as we have with other events, once the majority of residents have been
assisted in their recovery. It is a standard in emergency management and
a priority for this government."
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Media contacts:
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Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca
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Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
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Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour, and Employment
709-729-0753,699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
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2010 11 17 3:35 p.m.
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