Public meetings on January ice storm to be held in April

New Brunswick residents and businesses affected by the January ice storm will be able to share their experiences at public meetings being held in five communities over four days but not until April.

The 90-minute meetings will be held from April 3 to 6 in Bas-Caraquet, Lamque, Miramichi, Richibucto and Tracadie.

The meetings are part of a review of the response to the ice storm being led by Judy Wagner, the province's clerk of the executive council and head of the public service.

Premier Brian Gallant ordered the high-level review a week after the storm, whichat its height leftmore than 130,000 customers without power. In total, about 200,000 customers were affected.

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People will be able toshare their ice storm experiences and any ideas on the response to the ice storm at the meetings. Feedback can also be emailed to 2017JanuaryIceStorm@gnb.ca.

A news release said the specific dates and times of the meetings are tobe announced.

Wagner will also meet with municipal councillors and officials of communities affected by the storm.

Report due in July

A final report with recommendations is scheduled to be completed by July.

Internal reviews by the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, NB Power andofficials from the Department of Health will support the report.

The Jan. 24 to Jan. 26 ice storm hit central and eastern New Brunswick, from Miscou Island to Sackville and left some people without power for 11 days.

More than 50 warming centres and emergency shelters were opened in the affected regions to help those in need with meals and a warm place to sleep.

• Disaster relief program established to help ice storm victims

The provincial government put in place adisaster financial assistance program. Over 2,400 damage reports have been received and 564 health and safety inspections completed.

Those affected have until March 3 to register to have ahealth and safety inspection done.