Residents who have had to abandon their homes in a western Newfoundland town plagued by landslides have been told they will be compensated, but not by how much.

Landslides have eaten away at much of the coastline of a section of Daniel's Harbour.
(CBC)

A series of landslides in Daniel's Harbour since early Sunday have reformed the shape of a steep cliff, with a bungalow and a number of sheds toppling over the side.

The grounds have been relatively stable since Wednesday, when a house was destroyed, but six houses remain at risk.

One of the houses is within three metres of the slide area.

"We're quite sure that one probably will go, given the instability of the current ground conditions here," said John Smith, an official with the Newfoundland and Labrador government's Emergency Measures Organization.

About two dozen residents met with EMO officials on Wednesday in a private meeting that dealt with relocating homes.

Emergency Measures official John Smith expects other Daniel's Harbour homes to be destroyed by landslides.
(CBC)

Director Fred Hollett said affected residents will receive some money, but he could not say how much — or when.

"They've been told the process that we will enter into, to look at the measures that will be applied … but they have not been given any numbers," Hollett told CBC News.

"They have been also told that this is something that's probably not going to be finished this week or next."

The last week has been heartbreaking for Daniel's Harbour residents, as many have stood on the sidelines and watched — and more frequently waited — for the latest development.

Abe Payne said he was relieved to learn he will receive at least some compensation for the expected loss of his home.
(CBC)

Officials say it's inevitable that several houses along the cliff will be destroyed as the clay-based soil beneath gives way.

Abe Payne, whose home was one of the last to be included in the danger zone, abandoned his home earlier this week.

He entered it again on Thursday with friends, as they hauled out appliances and his other possessions.

"I want it to be done as soon and quick as possible. I don't want to jeopardize anyone's safety," Payne said.

As for what happens in the long term, Payne is hoping he will be able to rebuild a new home with aid from EMO.

"I guess to a certain degree I'm somewhat satisfied, but still there are a lot of questions hanging there that there are no answers for," Payne said.

"I guess it is going to take time before they can be answered. It's going to be a wait and see."

Daniel's Harbour was struck by a landslide last October, when tonnes of earth — affected by erosion at the bottom and top-heavy clay at the top — collapsed. Several homes and a business were evacuated.

The cliff was dormant over the winter, but the spring thaw has changed everything, particularly since a massive slide early Sunday. Officials have characterized the cliff as being "alive."