Burgeo highway repairs could take 2 weeks, transportation minister says

The province's minister of transportation and works says it could be two weeks before Burgeo's only highway is repaired followingMonday's intense rainstorm that wreaked havoc on several areas across Newfoundland.

"I wish I had some good news, however we're facing some serious damage on the Burgeohighway," Minister Al Hawkins told CBC Radio's Corner Brook Morning Show.

"Right now it looks like it's probably going to be, from what officials are telling me, at least one to two weeks to get that area back into service."

The highway underwent repairs over the summer.Hawkins said, to his knowledge, the areas fixed were not affected by Monday's storm.

With the highway inaccessible, Hawkins said a helicopter service would be used for medical emergencies.

"So today we are going to be starting a chopper service out of Burgeo, and right now I think we do have an individual that's on dialysis that we will be prioritizing, and anybody having medical needs," he said.

"And then we'll be providing a bus on the other side so that they can get to theservices they need."

Hawkins will be based out of Grand Falls-Windsor for the next several days as he visits areas to assess the damage. Visits to Harbour Breton and St. Alban's are scheduled for Wednesday.

"We've been hit hard with this rain and, you know, it just goes to show how vulnerable we are sometimes when Mother Nature decides to [unleash] its force upon us."

Hawkins said his main concerns are the safety of residents and providing necessary services to people who have been cut off.

"We have to make sure we provide the services as soon as possible to get people moving back and forth. And we know that a lot of people are going to be inconvenienced with this, but right now we will continue to do what we possibly can to make surepeople that are impacted the most are given the first opportunity to get out of the area and back."

Burgeo food, services shouldlast until weekend

Burgeo MayorBarbara Barter, whohas been stranded in Clarenville in the wake of the storm, said the rain created holes as big as30 to40 feetdeep and50 feet across.

Barter estimatedthe town's supplies will lastuntil the weekend. She's reached out to local stores as well as the hospital.

"And we know that fresh produce, of course, would be running lowbecause that comes in on a weekly schedule, and some of the bakery bread."

Burgeo's Foodland has its own bakery so supplies are on hand to make fresh bread.

"So we're estimating that the stores overall should be good until at least Friday," she said.

"And there's plenty of gas and diesel and propane on hand so we shouldn't have any concern about that. So Friday, Saturday seems to be our timeline before we have to start worrying about that."

If the highway isn't repaired and the community runs out of supplies, Barter said there's a contingency plan in place.

"If there's no fog, there'll be a helicopter service."