Ottawa sends Canadian Forces to the southwest coast of Newfoundland to help clean up Fiona

As residents continue to sift through the rubble where their homes once stood, they can take some comfort on Monday knowing the Canadian Forces are on hand to help.

The federal government on Sunday evening approved a request for assistance from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is opening the door for Canadian Forces members to deploy to the hardest hit areas and assist in all possible ways.

Seamus O’Regan, federal labor minister and one of NL’s seven MPs, said the Canadian Rangers « will immediately assess the situation, » and there are 100 members from three platoons ready to help.

He also said the warships HMCS Goose Bay and HMCS Margaret Brooke are in St. John’s and ready to help if needed.

The federal government has also approved applications in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where the storm also caused significant damage to private property and public spaces.

Condolences pour in for woman killed in storm

Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province to have lost its life.

RCMP confirmed on Sunday that a 73-year-old woman died after being swept from her home by a strong storm surge. His body was recovered shortly before 4 p.m.

“My heart breaks for the family and friends of the Port aux Basques woman who died when Hurricane Fiona made landfall,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a social media post. « We are keeping you in our thoughts – and we will continue to ensure that you and your fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have the support you need. »

Prime Minister Andrew Furey called it « heartbreaking news » and sent his condolences to the woman’s family and friends.

His house was one of about 20 destroyed by the storm, which hit Port aux Basques with winds of 134 km/h, 77 mm of rain and water levels rising more than a meter.

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