‘I have never seen anything like this’ in this country

Communities devastated by the wrath of hurricane Igor will receive the assistance of the Canadian military, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today.

Harper Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams flew into Trouty, Trinity Bay, about lunchtime to survey the damage to the small, picturesque fishing village.

After seeing some of the damage — the road through town was completely washed away by raging river that had formed from a normally small stream — Harper said the military would be mobilized to assist people in the province.

He said arrangements were being made during the previous 36 hours, however, he was unable to provide details other than Canadian navy personnel and army engineers would be involved.

Harper said the damage was the worst he had ever witnessed in the country.

"I have seen flooding, but I have never seen anything like this," he said. "I have never seen damage like this in Canada. Where we were standing at one point the water would have been over our heads here."

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Williams said the damage is spread over many parts of the province, making it more significant than other disasters in recent history.

"We have had situations before — we have had Badger, Chantal — but nothing compared to the magnitude of this," he said. "It is not focused, it is not localized, it is everywhere. That is why it is important we give people the assurance that we are doing the best we can. We still have a couple dozen or more isolated communities that we are working on."

Williams said with all levels of government working in tandem, the cleanup from Igor would continue to progress well.

"The co-operation between the federal, provincial and municipal governments, local service districts and even communities, like Trouty, is a good example of how Canadians come together and mobilize to help each other out," he said.