News Release

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The recovery process continues for New Brunswick residents affected by three severe weather events in December.  

Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Robert Trevors reported today that more than 1,100 people have called to register their damages, and most of these properties have already been inspected.

"We know how devastating these events have been for many New Brunswick residents, and  we continue our work to ensure that peoples' immediate needs are being met," Trevors said. "We appreciate the excellent work being done by inspection teams, appraisers, all levels of government, the Canadian Red Cross Society, businesses, and the many community and volunteer organizations to help New Brunswickers through this difficult time."

Adjusters have begun meeting with homeowners to assess their losses. Officials are looking at the most severely damaged properties first. For those where the damages are beyond economic repair, the provincial government may offer a buy-out.  

"Our inspectors and adjusters are working to get inspections and assessments done as quickly as possible, looking after those first whose properties were most severely damaged," Trevors said. "We have already issued more than $600,000 in advance payments to help make immediate safety repairs, and we expect the first of final payments will be issued beginning next week. We realize that this is a difficult time for those affected, and we appreciate everyone's patience as the recovery process continues."

About 100 residents are being housed in either hotels or host families in various regions in the province.

Residents have until Friday, Jan. 14, to register their damages through Service New Brunswick at 1-888-298-8555. Once this is done, they will receive documents on how to apply for Disaster Financial Assistance. The deadline for applying is Friday, Feb. 4.

For properties in coastal regions and inland waterways that may have sustained damage to seawalls or breakwaters on their primary properties, the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization advises that such repairs may be covered under the Disaster Financial Assistance program.

However, any properties below the high-water mark are Crown lands. As such, questions about the use of Crown land  to support repairs can be directed to the Department of Natural Resources' Land Use Application Service Centre at 1-888-312-5600.