Thousands still in the dark as military mobilized to assist N.B. ice storm cleanup

Approximately 200 Canadian Forces members are making their way across several northeast New Brunswick communities Monday morning, checking in on the almost 20,000 residents facing Day 6 without power.

READ MORE: Military called in to assist in NB ice storm recovery as number of carbon monoxide illnesses rises

Last week’s ice storm downed trees and power lines, knocking out power to thousands of residents.

Premier Brian Gallant again urged people to be safe Monday as they deal with the difficult circumstances. There have now been 33 people hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Two people died of carbon monoxide poisoning last week.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of communicating with family members, friends, neighbours, on how we have to be vigilant when using open flames inside,” Gallant said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We cannot stress enough the importance of communicating with family members, friends, neighbours, on how we have to be vigilant when using open flames inside," Gallant said.

“Barbecues, generators, anything that would emit carbon monoxide — we have to be very vigilant in making sure that we keep our families safe.”

Gallant said medical officials have been finding these appliances in their garages, which he said can still cause poisoning. In addition, he urged residents to be cautious when dealing with food that may have been sitting in a fridge with no power for several days.

Gallant said there would be discussions about support for those who have experienced financial set backs due to storm damage.

WATCH: With thousands still without power in New Brunswick, members of the Canadian Armed Forces arrived in the province’s hardest hit region. Jeremy Keefe reports.

2:12 Military arrives in New Brunswick to help with storm clean up

The premier said 350 crews are on the ground across the province attempting to restore power, however he said it could be a few days before some regions have their power restored.

“We have to start preparing for the fact that there may be some that will have still a few days left of no power in their areas,” Gallant said.

Military focusing on hardest hit regions

Gallant said they’ll have daily discussions about where to deploy the support from the military support, focusing on hardest-hit communities to help authorities check on residents, distribute basic necessities and clear debris.

The thick layer of ice covering everything from trees to homes is making the recovery efforts of the “extensive damage” more difficult.

Rear Admiral John Newton said the military is in the region to do whatever they can to help with distribution, clearing roads.

“We can do the door-to-door and really look after people and make sure they’re not falling through the cracks, and that they are personally ready for something that could be worse if the winter continues in this regard,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We can do the door-to-door and really look after people and make sure they're not falling through the cracks, and that they are personally ready for something that could be worse if the winter continues in this regard," he said.

Newton said they have support from aircraft that are flying around the region mapping out areas that need the most attention.

More than 150 volunteers are also going door-to-door, checking on people and offering water or any assistance they may need. Gallant said by Sunday afternoon, 90 per cent of the homes affected had been reached.

READ MORE: NB emergency officials urge safety during power outage after ice storm

At the height of the power outages, more 150,000 NB Power customers were in the dark.

Gallant said Sunday that it could still be days before power is restored across the province, even with the extra help from the military. NB Power said they hoped to have 60 per cent of the Acadian Peninsula restored by Monday.

Gallant said there’s no estimate on what the total cost may be for the storm recovery, emphasizing that right now, safety is their priority.

“We are minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day focused on the safety of New Brunswickers, focused on the safety of those in the regions that have been impacted,” he said.

“For us, we can’t put a cost on that, we have to keep people safe and that is of the utmost importance.”

WATCH: It’s been six days without power in northeastern New Brunswick and supplies are running low, but people on the Acadian Penninsula are some how maintaining and optimistic outlook. Global’s Paul Cormier reports.

1:57 ‘We got to cope with it, we’ve got no choice’: Acadian Penninsula reaches six days without power

Warming centres are still open across the province: 

• Alma – Activity Centre
• Bas-Caraquet – École L’Escale des Jeunes
• Bertrand – Municipal Office
• Blackville – Fire Hall
• Blackville – 137 Main St
• Bois Blanc – 1560 Route 135
• Bouctouche – JK Irving Center, 30 Évangéline St.
• Burnt Church (Esgenoôpetitj) First Nation – Bingo Plex – Route 11
• Cap-pelé – Fire station
• Eel Ground First Nation – Church
• Grande-Anse – towh hall
• Hampton – Community Centre, 808 Main St.
• Hillsborough – Fire Hall
• Irishtown – Community Centre
• Lagaceville – Church
• Lamèque – Church
• Memramcook – arena
• Miramichi – Golden Hawk Recreation Centre, 8 Pollard Ave.
• Miramichi – Linden Rec Centre
• Moncton – City Hall
• Moncton – Resurgo Place
• Moncton – Coliseeum
• Moncton – Crossman Community Centre
• Paquetville – Centre du savoir
• Pointe-du-chêne – Community Centre
• Rexton –  Curling Club (49 Centennial West Ave)
• Richibucto – church
• Rivière-du-portage – Centre récréatif
• Riverview – Town Hall
• Rogersville – Municipal Office
• Sackville – Civic Center
• Saint-Isidore – 4024 des Fondateurs Blvd.
• Saint-Léolin – Club de l’age d’or
• Saint Louis de Kent – Centre Aqua Kent
• Salisbury – Lions Club
• Salisbury – Village office
• Salisbury – Fire Department
• Shediac – Multipurpose Centre
• Shippagan – Centre Universitaire
• Tracadie – Centre des chevaliers de Colomb (Sheila)
• Tracadie – Centre des chevaliers de Colomb (Pont Landry)
• Tracadie – École Le Tremplin

— With files from Adrienne South, Global News, and The Canadian Press.