Province Offers Support to Residents of Truro

Premier Darrell Dexter reached out to municipal officials today, Sept. 10, to offer the full support of the province in the wake of flooding in Truro.

Municipal and provincial officials are responding to flooding in Truro from the effects of heavy rainfall. Many roads and businesses are closed and several residents have voluntarily evacuated from their homes.

"At this point, our primary concern is for the residents of Truro and their immediate safety," said Premier Dexter. "I want to thank all of the municipal and provincial support staff, as well as the emergency first responders, for their professional and compassionate handling of this event. The province will do everything it can to help residents and businesses who have been impacted."

Emergency Management Office Minister Ross Landry, and Lenore Zann, MLA for Truro-Bible Hill, are touring the affected areas and Red Cross Reception Centres today.

"We want to see, first-hand, the impact of the flooding, talk to residents, and thank everyone personally for their tremendous work responding to this emergency," Mr. Landry said.

Two Red Cross reception centres have opened for residents. They are located at the Bible Hill Fire Department and the Immanuel Baptist Church. Municipal, provincial and federal officials are on site, as well as emergency first responders. Response is being co-ordinated by regional emergency management organization for Colchester County.

Mr. Landy asked Nova Scotians for patience as the rain continues and roads and businesses are affected by closures. In the coming hours and days, roads and bridges will be inspected by engineers from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal as quickly as possible. Motorists should continue to use caution and watch for closed roads and water on roads.

As residents begin to return to their homes, the Emergency Management Office reminds homeowners to carefully check for signs of damage and debris, particularly with electrical systems, wells and septic systems. They should ensure local officials have deemed the property safe before returning.

Homeowners and residents should contact their insurance companies and assess the damage to their homes and property as soon as possible. The province may offer a disaster financial assistance program. This is a joint federal and provincial program to help Nova Scotians who sustained uninsurable losses to a primary residence or a small business.

"The first step is for residents and business to assess the damages," said Mr. Landry. "The province will then work with those impacted and the municipality to prepare a submission to the federal government. If approved, this program provides a basic level of support to help Nova Scotians repair their homes and business."

For more information visit www.gov.ns.ca/emo .