A town in Newfoundland and Labrador has sent an application to the federal government for financial disaster relief following the record-breaking blizzard event last month.
“What we have identified, what we need immediate funding for … are the [parts] that make our infrastructure vulnerable,” David Hiscock, town manager of Bonavista, NL, told CBC News.
Hiscock said that approximately 800 metres of the town’s seawall was destroyed during the blizzard. Damage to private property was also recorded. The estimated total cost of the repairs clocked in at $10 million.
The cost comes from replacing the wooden seawalls with armor stone, as well as other related issues with the seawall and other damage, Hiscock explained. While armor stone is a costly option, the town manager believes the switch is a “lifetime solution.”
CBC News reported that as of February 06, Bonavista had yet to hear from the federal government. The application process is still ongoing for municipalities looking for recompense.
Hiscock noted that without a seawall, the community could be severely affected by the storm surge kicked up by high winds.
“So with no sea fence there, 100 kilometres of wind could do a lot of damage,” he said. “Almost as much as the 160 did with the sea fence that isn’t there anymore.”
