West coast flooding update 12 noon

Officials with the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, along with the Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization director and staff remain on the scene in Stephenville. The following provides an update of current happenings in the affected areas:

• A meeting to report progress and update on the flooding situation was held yesterday, October 4, with Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister Jack Byrne, officials with the Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization, western regional engineers, officials with Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE), health and environmental inspectors, the Town of Stephenville, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
   
• A general enquiries office opened October 4 at the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation site in Stephenville, with a staff member on-site to address general enquiries. Approximately 30 individuals met with staff to discuss aspects of the claims process.
   
• RCMP are maintaining security on the evacuated area of town, with additional security supported by the volunteer ground search and rescue teams.
   
• The Town of Stephenville has adjusted the State of Emergency which now is applicable only to the damaged and evacuated areas. The town is continuing with all efforts to reinstate municipal services where possible.
   
• The town's engineering firm is currently conducting as assessment of municipal infrastructure damage in the flood area; conducting a structural inspection of damaged homes in the flood area; and initiating a process of assessing oil and ground contamination in the flood areas.
   
• The Town of Stephenville will be holding a public meeting tonight, Wednesday, October 5 for evacuees from the affected areas. Officials from Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Emergency Measures Organization, along with Minister Joan Burke will be in attendance.
   
• Environment /health inspector officials from the Department of Government Services have completed an assessment of the evacuated area. Health inspectors have conducted visual and physical inspections of homes in the evacuated area. Certain structures are currently deemed unfit for habitation based upon water/sewer/oil contamination which is in the homes. Residential oil tanks at risk have been emptied to prevent further spills.
   
• Officials with the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment advise that 153 families have been evacuated, with 132 households placed in alternate accommodations. The remaining 21 families have not availed of HRLE accommodations and have moved to other locations of their own choice.
   
• Subject to the assessment of the municipal infrastructure and in particular water/sewer systems, it is hoped that the number of families may be reduced if their homes are found to be livable and water/sewer can be reinstated safely.
   
• Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization has confirmed that current year school books damaged in the flood will be replaced up to a total value of $500.00.
   
• The Independent Insurance Adjusters Association has been contracted to provide adjusting services on claims as they are submitted. Claims have been received and assigned to adjusters as of today. It is expected that adjusters will be on site in Stephenville, processing the claims, effective this afternoon.

Media contact: Heather MacLean, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498 or heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

2005 10 05                                  12:10 p. m.