It is too soon to say if there will be a Disaster Financial Assistance program following this week’s storm, according to provincial officials.

Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said the first step is getting people who received damages during the storm to register them with the province.

“It is important that people register their storm damage so we can have an accurate picture before any decisions on disaster financial assistance can be made,” Austin said during a news conference on Thursday.

“There is a threshold that has to be met before the assistance can kick in. There has to be $3 million in uninsurable losses.”

New Brunswickers have until March 18, 2024, to register their damages with the province.

You can do so online or by calling 1-888-298-8555. The Damage Report Line is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

The line will not be open on Dec. 25, Dec. 26, or Jan. 1.

Residents are reminded to:

• Contact their insurance companies immediately to report damage.
• Take photos of damage to their homes or properties.
• Keep receipts of any repairs and replacement purchases.
• Log the number of hours of work undertaken for residents who are cleaning their own properties, or family members or those who have assisted in the cleanup of their property.

“It only covers necessities that insurance does not cover,” Austin said of the Disaster Financial Assistance program. “DFA is not a replacement for insurance.”