Emergency officials have turned their attention to recovery after this spring’s flood.
All communities along the Saint John River basin are back below flood stage.
Greg MacCallum, director of New Brunswick EMO, said this flood was remarkably similar to last year’s in many ways — but also very different.
“Last year, we had a very sudden flooding event that really got in the way of any opportunities that a lot of people had to get prepared for it,” said MacCallum.
Early indications are this year’s flood may have been less damaging than the 2018 event.
The province said more than 460 damage reports had been submitted as of Friday.
Debris pickup will start on May 15 for local service districts, except those around Grand Lake and in the Belleisle area, where it will start on May 21. Residents should have their debris at the roadside, but people are asked to be patient. [1/2] pic.twitter.com/NVqI6KwqKE
— NBEMO / OMUNB (@NBEMO_OMUNB) May 10, 2019
MacCallum said the number is lower than at this point after last year’s flood and they believe there are several reasons why.
“The province bought more than 70 of the hardest-hit properties last year, so obviously they weren’t part of the damage this year,” he said.
MacCallum said more than 160 mitigation projects were undertaken after last year’s flood to help improve the resiliency of properties.
Homeowners, small businesses and not-for-profits have until June 15 to file damage reports and until August 30 to apply for disaster financial assistance.
Satellite & temporary pop-up offices are opening in flood-affected regions to assist people with disaster financial assistance claims. Claims officers are at these locations to help with applications and to answer questions about the recovery process. https://t.co/HsSkxrjCx7
— NBEMO / OMUNB (@NBEMO_OMUNB) May 10, 2019
Bill Lawlor, provincial director of the Canadian Red Cross, said close to 1,500 people from 639 households have registered with their organization. Nearly 70 of those households remain in temporary housing.
Households directly impacted by flooding could be eligible for $600 from the agency to help meet immediate needs.
Lawlor said the final day for those impacted by the flood to register with the Red Cross is June 15.