A young couple from Sussex, N.B. is determined to keep their heads above water after a flood devastated their family-owned business earlier this month.
The flash flood in Sussex destroyed dozens of recreational vehicles at Doug’s Recreation Centre, causing an estimated $2 million in damage.
In some places, water reached almost two metres high on the property, which Justin Toole and his wife Sarah have owned for just over a year.
“It was the worst day of my life, seeing them go. I mean, this is my baby, this business, this company, these trailers,” says Sarah.
“At first, I didn’t think I’d be able to keep most of the staff on. I didn’t know if I’d be here next week or a week from now, so I’m in a much better place.”
The Tooles say they are overwhelmed by the support shown in their community.
“For four days straight we had a crew of 12 people here, and at any given time, there was coffee and doughnuts and people dropping off lunches and no one ever went hungry,” says Justin. “You know, it was great.”
Spring is typically a busy time for RV business owners, and the Tooles are now scrambling for new stock to replace the trailers damaged in the flood.
They are also vowing not to sell the flood-damaged trailers.
“We want no part of it. No matter what you offer us, they’re not ours,” says Justin. “We want nothing to do with it. They’re in the hands of the insurance company and what they do with it is completely up to them.”
Employees spent Wednesday preparing some of the new stock before it hits the road. They say the young business owners are determined to make it through the rough patch.
“I think they must be relatives of me, I’m a little stubborn and I think maybe they’re a little stubborn too,” says employee Roger MacPhee.
“They’re digging their heels in and saying ‘this is a little blow, but we’re gonna be better and stronger when we come back.’”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
