Re: New Brunswick flood damage 'beyond imagination': Premier David Alward
Recovery program for flood victims announced
15 December 2010
Media Contact(s)
New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, 1-800-561-4034.
FREDERICTON (CNB) ? The provincial government has announced a recovery program for victims of the storm surges of Dec. 5-6 and the extreme rainfall event of Dec. 13-14.
The program will allow residents to receive information and register their flood-related damage with a single phone call. It will also put health and safety inspection teams into flood-affected areas to allow residents to return to their homes more quickly.
Registering is the first step in the recovery process, which includes three elements:
?
complementary assistance, including water testing, electrical re-connections and electrical permits, if necessary;
?
health and safety inspections, to assess damage and determine what repairs are required for residents to safely return to their homes; and
?
Disaster Financial Assistance, which will be available to cover the costs of repairs.
"We understand how important it is for affected New Brunswickers to get back to their homes as quickly as possible, particularly given the time of year," Premier David Alward said. "We will work with our partners to begin the recovery process and we will provide assistance to help New Brunswickers through this event."
The provincial recovery call centre is being run through Service New Brunswick and is now in operation.
In addition, health and safety inspection teams will begin work in flood-affected areas as soon as possible. These teams will assess whether a home or place of business is safe enough for residents or owners to return. Each team will be comprised of members specialized in electric, gas and fire prevention, structural housing and public health. The specialization of these teams will allow them to effectively determine if repairs are needed before residents return home.
Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Robert Trevors urged residents to be patient as this process is put into place.
"We understand that people are anxious to get back to their homes as quickly as possible," he said. "We will do our best to provide the right kind of assistance to those affected by this severe weather."
Residents in flood-affected areas should call Service New Brunswick at
1-888-298-8555 to report damage and register for disaster financial assistance. Once registered, residents will be provided with an information package and any required paperwork to initiate an assistance claim.
Once approved for disaster financial assistance, advance payments of up to $4,000 will be available. The deductible amounts will be $1,000 for individual homeowners, and $5,000 for small businesses. The deductible is automatically waived for social services clients. Requests for waiver may also be considered from those who are experiencing severe financial hardship.
The Service New Brunswick call centre can be reached at 1-888-298-8555 and will operate Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can also apply online.
LINK:
● Service New Brunswick (form):
www.snb.ca/emo
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/public_alerts/public_alert.2010.12.1888.html
