Igor help coming: Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the federal government will cover some of the costs needed to fix bridges and roads that Hurricane Igor destroyed in Newfoundland.

In a statement late Tuesday, Harper said he had spoken with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams about the damage. "The government of Canada stands ready to assist the people of Newfoundland and Labrador through Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements," the statement said.

"We will continue monitoring the storm closely and remain in close contact with provincial authorities to respond to any urgent requests."

Several roads and bridges were washed out across Newfoundland as Igor dropped between 120 and 239 millimetres of rain in the hardest-hit areas.

Tom Hedderson, Newfoundland and Labrador's acting minister of municipal and provincial affairs, said work would start immediately on Wednesday on emergency assessments.

Hedderson told CBC News his top priority was to restore connections to isolated and remote communities that had lost access to main roads.