Furey says nearly 100 homes in southwestern Newfoundland destroyed, cost of damage unclear

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says the cost of the cleanup after post-tropical storm Fiona isn't yet clear, but nearly 100 homes — and counting — were damaged beyond repair in southwestern Newfoundland.

He said the number of destroyed houses will likely grow as more residents return to their property and discover the storm has rendered their home unlivable.

"The devastation is unbelievable," he said during a media briefing at the Channel-Port aux Basques town office Monday afternoon.

Furey, who had been in Gallipoli, Turkey, on Friday to attend a dedication ceremony for a memorial to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, said he cut his travel plans short Saturday when the magnitude of the damage in communities on Newfoundland's southwest coast became clear.

In the coming days, Furey said, the province will create a financial package to help people who have been displaced and either did not have homeowners insurance, or whose insurance did not cover storm surge damage.

He said the provincial government will administer emergency funds as quickly as possible.

"We will be striving to have the most efficient process in place," he said.

He said the province is co-ordinating with the federal government and municipal leaders in the impacted communities, and is doing a needs assessment, including an inventory of properties.

"That's a moving target right now," he said.

Furey said the province will be availing of federal disaster relief funds, and he is also in discussions with the federal government about creating a funding program specifically for the communities battered by the storm in southwestern Newfoundland.

"We'll ensure that the needs that are there will match the skills that are coming," he said.

Furey said he's been in discussions with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about federal support, including 100 military personnel who were en route to Newfoundland's south coast on Monday afternoon.

Furey said the potential for storm surges — the cause of most of the damage in Port aux Basques, Burgeo and Burnt Islands — will be taken into consideration as the communities rebuild.