As flood waters begin to recede in communities along the St. John River in New Brunswick, residents are turning their attention to cleaning up and recovering from the disaster.
The Canadian Red Cross is offering financial assistance in the form of an electronic funds transfer of $300 per household to assist residents returning home after the evacuation. Residents must be registered with Red Cross to receive these funds. Registration can be done by calling 1-800-863-6582. Households that have not registered can still call us. Please view our eligibility criteria to see if you are eligible.
The Canadian Red Cross is also offering free flood clean up kits. The kits which include cleaning products, mop, gloves, bucket and other items are currently available at 120 MacDonald Street (Loch Lomond Place) in Saint John from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. They are also available at 318 Maple Street in Fredericton from 8:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Please note, for the Victoria Day long weekend (May 19-21) the clean up kits will be available at both locations from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
As residents begin the difficult task of recovering from a disaster, it is important to be patient with yourself and others. For more tips on emotional wellbeing during an emergency, please see our Coping with Crisis Guide.
Flood Recovery Information
You must be cautious when re-entering your home. Here are some safety precautions to follow when you return home:
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Only return home when authorities have indicated that there is no danger and follow their instructions carefully.
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Before entering your home, examine the exterior to see if it is damaged: check for free electrical wires, damaged gas lines, cracks in the foundation, etc.
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Your house may be damaged. Therefore, approach entries with caution. Inside, watch out for any holes in the floors, broken glass or other debris.
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Keep away from electrical cables on the ground and do not use appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse panels until they are checked by a qualified electrician.
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If you smell natural gas, propane gas or hear a whistle, leave immediately and dial 9-1-1.
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Wear protective clothing such as boots and rubber gloves during cleaning.
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Discard any food, medicines, beauty products and other toiletries that were exposed to flood waters. If in doubt, throw it out!
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Do not use water that might be contaminated to wash, clean, drink or prepare food until local authorities have confirmed that it can be used safely.
For additional tips, please see our Flood Recovery Guide.
If you are interested in donating please visit our New Brunswick Floods Appeal.
