New Brunswickers clean up following tornado that hit cottage and agricultural areas

New Brunswickers with questions about insurance claims following the July 20 tornado that caused extensive damage, particularly in the Grand Lake region, are advised to call for more information.

Amanda Dean, vice president, Atlantic Region for the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), encourages residents with insurance questions to contact the bureau’s Atlantic Consumer Information Centre. “It is absolutely critical to know how you can protect your family and your home, and what your insurance policy covers in the event of an emergency,” Dean emphasizes in a statement.

 IBC reports that the tornado left a path of uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and displaced vehicles from Whites Cove and Cambridge Narrows to Juniper, which are popular cottage and agricultural areas in the province.

“This unusually severe storm in New Brunswick is another reminder that weather patterns have changed. Events that used to happen every 40 years can now be expected to happen every six,” Dean says.

Individuals are advised to call their insurance representative and/or company. Damage to homes caused by wind or hail is generally covered, while damage to cars from wind, hail or water is typically covered if the car insurance is comprehensive or all-perils.

Damage caused by water is generally only covered in certain specific circumstances (for example, if the damage is caused by a sudden and accidental release from a water main or inside plumbing) or from sewer back-up (if the policyholder has sewer back-up coverage).

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If safe to do so, start cleaning up to protect property from further damage. Among other things, speak with your insurance representative before making any non-urgent repairs; list all damaged or destroyed items; take photos of damage incurred and keep damaged items, unless they pose a health hazard; and keep all receipts related to clean-up and living expenses if you have been displaced.

Some of the mess left behind after a possible tornado came through Cambridge-Narrows, NB pic.twitter.com/yoUghyUfHG

— Ashley Dunbar (@AshleyDunbarCTV) July 22, 2013

Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, an Environment Canada warning for Channel-Port aux Basques and vicinity issued late Tuesday morning says strong southeasterly winds gusting to 100 km/h were expected overnight and Wednesday morning in the Wreckhouse area of southwestern Newfoundland. It was anticipated the potentially hazardous winds would diminish later Wednesday morning as the warm front passes and the winds switch to the southeast.