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Newfoundland assesses damage from Hurricane Igor
Residents of Newfoundland are cleaning up in the wake of Hurricane Igor which devastated the area on September 21.
Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, Acting Minister for Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness, provided details of the extent of damage caused by Hurricane Igor to the province:
- At the height of Hurricane Igor wind speeds were in excess of 170 kilometers per hour in some areas;
- Rainfall amounts reached nearly 240 millimeters in parts of the province;
- Approximately 90 communities were isolated because of washouts and road closures;
- Some communities have been hit very hard, with widespread damage and destruction to homes, vehicles and personal possessions. The scope of the damages within communities is broad, with reports of road breakages, bridge washouts and water and sewer damage;
- The Provincial Government was advised that 22 communities had declared States of Emergency. Four have since lifted that designation.
Estimates are still being made as to the economic extent of damages. A spokesperson with Fire and Emergency Services Newfoundland said that the damage will likely exceed the $25 million in damages caused by 2007’s Hurricane Chantal. A CBC report says the damage is likely to reach about $100 million.
