Many Sussex, N.B. residents are looking for more than financial help from the provincial government after last month’s flood.
Homeowner Elva Jorgensen says the flood was one of the worst she has ever experienced. She is glad the government is offering financial assistance, but she says a permanent solution to prevent flooding is needed.
“I wish they would do something, they’ll have to,” says Jorgensen. “Every house on this street, a lot of them had lovely finished family rooms. All the furniture is out in the street, just soaked.”
Homeowners who experienced flooding after April 15 are eligible for up to $120,000 in funding. Residents say the money will help with restoration, but they are hoping for a long-term solution.
Most of the flooding occurred when the Trout Creek spilled its banks and many residents along the river have floated the idea of dredging.
“We would like to, but that is something that will probably never happen,” says homeowner Clifford Chestnut. “You know, they don’t seem to realize that the river should be taken from the other side there, cleaned out, but they won’t do that.”
Scott Hatcher with the Town of Sussex says officials are assessing last month’s flood to see what measures should be taken in the future.
“We developed a plan with a consultant that specializes in stream restoration to actually look at reconstructing that section of the brook or stream that would be able to handle the type of events that we experienced on the 15th,” says Hatcher.
Jorgensen says her basement is nearly gutted, but she’s not certain whether she will rebuild unless changes are made, as she fears floodwaters will just ruin it again.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
