A State of Emergency has been declared in Trepassey after the breakwater was destroyed by storm surge during yesterday’s storm.
The region escaped the worst of the snow, but storm surge was a major problem for many communities along the south coast.
Most of the breakwater has been completely flattened, with segments left floating in the water.
A 100 metre portion of the structure was heavily damaged by massive waves in November, leaving two openings in the structure.
The town says it needs a new breakwater – something that will stand up to the pounding from increasingly frequent storms in recent years.
The provincial government announced in November that it intends to spend close to $1 million to replace the breakwater in Trepassey.
Infrastructure Minister Barry Petten says that work has already begun.
“The work has started” says Petten, “they’re working away on the new breakwater which will be an armor stone gate-in-basket set up.” Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and Public Safety is overseeing response now that a State of Emergency has been declared.)
Storm damage in St. Vincent’s – St. Stephen’s – Peter’s River
Meanwhile, the Mayor of St. Vincent’s – St. Stephen’s – Peter’s River says storm surge threw a significant amount of debris up over the main highway.
Rough seas at St. Vincent’s – St. Stephen’s – Peter’s River in January (via Regina Molloy on Facebook)
Verna Hayward told VOCM Open Line that the breakwater in their community needed to be replaced some time ago, but the response to-date has been disappointing.
“Every time we ever bring it up as a council, the government’s response is that it’s cheaper to replace the pavement.” However Hayward says it’s not just an infrastructure concern, it’s a safety concern as well.
“Lives can be lost” says Hayward, “the ocean can come in there at any time, and somebody could even be washed into (Holyrood) Pond. And it did happen many years ago, a car did wash into that pond.”
