Ottawa sending Canadian Forces to N.L.'s southwest coast to help with Fiona cleanup
CBC
As residents continue to sift through the rubble where their houses used to stand, they can take a little comfort on Monday in knowing the Canadian Forces are on the way to help.
The federal government approved a request for assistance by the Newfoundland and Labrador government late on Sunday, which opens to door for Canadian Forces members to be deployed to the hardest hit regions and help out in any way they can.
Seamus O'Regan, federal minister of labour and one of seven MPs from N.L., said the Canadian Rangers will "immediately assess the situation," and there are 100 members from three platoons ready to help out.
He also said naval ships HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Margaret Brooke are in St. John's and ready to help if needed.
The federal government also approved requests in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where the storm also caused significant damage to private property and public spaces.
Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province to suffer loss of life.
RCMP confirmed on Sunday that a 73-year-old woman died after being swept out of her home by a strong storm surge. Her body was recovered just before 4 p.m.
"My heart breaks for the family and friends of the woman from Port aux Basques who passed away when Hurricane Fiona made landfall," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a message posted to social media. "We're keeping you in our thoughts – and we'll continue to make sure you, and your fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, have the support you need."
Premier Andrew Furey called it "gut-wrenching news," and sent condolence to the woman's family and friends.
Her home was one of about 20 destroyed by the storm, which saw Port aux Basques hit with 134 km/hr winds, 77 mm of rain and water levels rising over a metre.
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