The entire Maritime region has been soaked by an intense rainstorm, but an area in south-central New Brunswick has been devastated.
Wednesday’s rain saturated and loosened ground all over in New Brunswick. Eventually roads and structures simply couldn't stand it anymore.
One of the few routes in and out of Hoyt, N.B. was washed away Wednesday night, leaving residents stranded.
“People can't get to their homes, people can't get out of the community if they're not from here. We've got people here that live in Fredericton and they can't get out,” said Brandon Luke of the Hoyt fire department.
Free-flowing torrents washed dirt and large rocks onto another section of the same highway, leaving the cemetery beneath a field of debris. The road was compromised in other locations, too, leaving some anxious about isolation.
“I think about the elderly people. It's an elderly population in this town, so I think about those people that are more concerned, probably that have health issues, might be on oxygen or might be palliative in their homes, things like that,” said Hoyt resident Megan Gillett.
Not far away in Welsford, N.B., the waters of the Nerepis River rose well above manageable levels. Homes were cut off as roads disappeared underwater.
“I didn't think it was going to be this bad,” said Welsford resident Peter Burgess. “No, I knew it was a lot of water, but I didn't think it was this bad.”
In Fredericton, the Nashwaak River ran fast and fierce, spilling over its bank in places, and causing inconvenience and concern.
“The weather's changing, it's all over the country,” said Fredericton resident Haviland Lyons. “Things are changing, so weather's changing too.”
The shoulder of the main highway between Fredericton and Saint John was eroding even as traffic zoomed past.
New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization says it's too soon to put an estimate on damage.
“It's (in the) very early stages of assessment, but it's expected to be significant,” said Paul Bradley of the EMO.
New Brunswick’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure tells CTV News the last two storms have cost the province around $20 million.
“For us right now, the focus is not on how we pay for this,” Roger Melanson said. “The focus is to make sure that we respond quickly and bring safety to these individuals.”
Some in Hoyt are wondering why a state of emergency hasn't been declared. First responders say it's not their call.
“It is an emergency situation, however EMO has not declared a state of emergency, so it's kind of on us, we're looking after things here now,” said Luke. “It is an emergency situation, by all means, but it is not a state of emergency at this time."
That declaration could come. It is expected to take several days before normal returns.
In Belleisle, N.B., wind and rain also washed out roads. Sinkholes swallowed up vehicles, leaving at least one stranded in the St. John River.
“I’ve been here for over 45 years and we live right in here beside the brook, and this has never, ever happened,” said local resident Jean Bates.
In Berwick, N.B., one man is dead after a retaining wall collapsed on him. RCMP say they believe he was working on his sump pump when the wall came down. The man died at the scene.
Nearby residents and emergency crews were assessing the damage on Thursday.
“Last count, we had 17 complete washouts or road closures,” said Belleisle fire Chief Bruce Sherwood.
“Right now, we’re just trying to map out the area and find out where all the closures are and get a game plan in place as to how we can reach out and access these areas that are currently not accessible.”
The EMO is asking people who are stranded to call 911 and wait for crews to come and get them. They’re warning people not to try to drive on roads that may be compromised. The EMO is also asking residents to report any unmarked roads that are compromised or washed out.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Blackford and Andy Campbell
