Months after flooding, hundreds still out of New Brunswick homes

FREDERICTON — Hundreds of people remain out of their homes in New Brunswick months after historic floodwaters swept through the province, destroying buildings and inundating highways.

Bill Lawlor, director of the Canadian Red Cross in New Brunswick, said Tuesday that 120 people are still in emergency accommodations while others have made alternate living arrangements until they can move back home.

“We had well over 300 people at the height of the evacuation and it’s gone down to as low as 70,” he said. “The number has gone up and down, but it’s stabilizing now and we’ll continue to see it decrease.”

The province has said that about 12,000 properties were affected by widespread flooding between late April and mid-May, with dozens of homes and cottages beyond repair.

Lawlor said some residents only recently called the humanitarian organization, after weeks of staying with relatives, friends and neighbours.

“Some thought it was a short-term situation, but eight weeks later they call us saying: ‘I can’t couch surf anymore, I have children,’ ” he said, explaining the fluctuation in the number of people seeking emergency accommodations.

Lawlor said others have moved out of hotels and university residences, but might not yet be in their homes.

“Some people are in their driveway, they’ve set up their recreational vehicle or trailer while their home is being repaired or they figure out what to do next,” he said.

“Others remain with a host family, but they’re not under our care.”

He said some homeowners are having trouble finding tradespeople to do renovations during New Brunswick’s busy building and construction season.

“For those folks who have needed to be completely out of their home, or have moved back but have significant renovations underway or are waiting for work to be done, it’s very stressful and draining,” Lawlor said.

Thousands of flood victims have registered with the Red Cross, which has extended its deadline to July 13.

The organization has raised $1.16 million to help the victims in response to the flooding.

Geoffrey Downey, spokesman for the province’s Public Safety Department, said 2,927 residents registered for health and safety inspections before the deadline last week.

The province has received 475 applications for disaster financial assistance and has not yet set a deadline on applications, he said.

“Buyouts are being examined,” Downey said. “Some people’s homes were essentially destroyed.”

Meanwhile, the provincial government has waived tipping fees in a bid to encourage homeowners to bring debris to the dump.

In all, 5,962 tonnes of waste has been brought to landfills, and the fees to dispose of non-hazardous, flood-damaged items will continue to be waived until July 28.

Anthony Doiron, spokesman for the Department of Environment and Local Government, said flood victims can also use a free well-water testing program and property tax relief.

Property owners will be required to provide evidence of the damage in order to qualify for an adjustment for the 2018 taxation year, he said.