More than 12,000 properties damaged during N.B.’s historic 2018 flood

It has been just over two weeks since the flood waters of the Saint John River retreated back to normal levels. The river was elevated from April 27 to May 18, affecting a total of 12,000 properties around the province and wreaking havoc on shoreline infrastructure. Recovery is still underway in many New Brunswick communities, as service workers and residents work tirelessly to repair homes and clean up debris.

A public advisory released by the provincial government on June 4, said that 2,627 people have registered damage for disaster financial assistance. Of those registered, 1,871 have requested a health and safety inspection on their homes, and 91 per cent of those inspections have been completed to date.

In early June, the province set up temporary offices across flood-affected communities to help with the application process. Offices remain open, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at:

  • June 13 – Chipman – Chipman Heritage Centre, 506-453-6514; and
  • June 15 – Cambridge-Narrows – Town Hall, 506-658-5390.

Disaster Financial Assistance satellite offices have also been opened in:

  • Saint John – 15 King’s Square North (506-658-5390);
  • Hampton – 410 William Bell Dr., Unit 1 (506-832-6030);
  • Fredericton – Service New Brunswick building, 432 Queen St. (506-453-6514); and
  • Burton – Burton Courthouse, 23 Rte. 102 (506-357-4622).

1,110 homes have registered with the Canadian Red Cross, and about 550 have received financial assistance funded by the organization’s flood appeal donations. If flooding has forced you to evacuate your home for more than two days; live without power for more than three days; experience water damage and/or sewer backup; or if you self-identify that you will face financial difficulty during flood recovery, contact Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582 for assistance.

Free home cleanup kits are available at Red Cross offices in Saint John and Fredericton, and free water testing kits are available at Service New Brunswick for private well owners.

The Government of New Brunswick reported that about 4,000 tonnes of debris has been dropped off at landfills to date. They are advising residents to leave debris on the roadside, and ensure pickup will continue until the process is complete.

As a precautionary measure for future flooding, a Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Regulation has been issued under the Clean Water Act. This requires any person planning to work within 30 metres of a watercourse, including construction, demolition, clearing land or landscaping, to obtain a permit. This new measure hopes to reduce the likelihood of damage to property and infrastructure during future floods.

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