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FREDERICTON - The flood waters are finally receding, but damage claims are steadily on the rise from residents living along New Brunswick's swollen St. John River.

Emergency Measures officials said Tuesday that the river is returning to its normal size, even near its mouth at the Bay of Fundy along the southern reaches of the province.

"At this point in time, subject to weather, we would not expect any significant water level increases, and we wouldn't anticipate any more individuals flooded," said Andy Morton, the organization's deputy director.

By midday Tuesday, more than 800 people had applied to the province for disaster relief, said Dick Isabelle, spokesman for the Public Safety Department. He said he expected the number to top more than 1,000 later in the day.

Officials said the total amount of damage would be in the tens of millions of dollars, but they could not be more specific until the final claims were processed.

On Sunday, the provincial government confirmed that under its disaster relief plan, homeowners are eligible for up to $80,000 in compensation for essentials, after paying a $1,000 deductible.

Businesses and farms have a $5,000 deductible, and can be compensated for 100 per cent of their first $100,000 in damages, and 75 per cent beyond that.

The focus of the flood response is now turning to getting people back in their homes.

Isabelle said restoring electricity is the top priority, but he is urging residents to be patient while crews conduct safety inspections.

"Perhaps some homes that had power during the flood stage - as our electrical inspectors go into those areas - there may have to be decisions to actually cut more power for now, because it's only now that we begin to see what some of the dangers are," he said.

NB Power, the province's electric utility, had 700 work orders to restore power.

More than 150 homes have been inspected in northwestern New Brunswick since Sunday, and crews have begun examining homes in Fredericton as well.

A couple of lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway in the Jemseg area were closed over the weekend as a result of flood waters, but officials say the highway reopened Tuesday.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of boiling well water if there is any suspicion that it may have been contaminated by flood waters.