The mayor of Badger says water levels are falling as the town faces a risk of major flooding, but it’s still too early to know when evacuated residents can return to their homes.
Dennis Butt told CBC News that gains are being made after a fairly close call, but water levels in the Exploits River are still over the riverbank.
“We’ve seen a steady decline in water levels over the last number of days. But the issue … we’re having is that water levels are decreasing overnight, so midnight to probably afternoon, and then [in the] afternoon we see a slight increase,” Butt said on Monday.
“We’re seeing gains in regards to the river receding, or the water receding, because there’s three waterways. We’re losing some of that in the afternoon, but we’re still making gains there.”
The community has been under a state of emergency since Wednesday night, when a buildup of ice raised water in the Exploits River above flooding levels.
Butt said around 180 people — and 110 homes — have been evacuated. Some still haven’t registered with the Canadian Red Cross, he said, and he encourages everyone to register even if they might not need help.
“By all accounts, there is some damage, but we don’t know to what extent currently,” Butt said.
Butt didn’t have a timeline as to when evacuated residents could return, saying he didn’t want to give false hope.
A winter storm hitting the region on Monday also caused concern, but Butt said the weather hasn’t made a major impact.
Get a bird’s-eye view of Badger as ice clogs the Exploits River
The town also issued a boil water advisory over concerns that the fresh water system could become contaminated.
Water levels would first need to see consistent reductions in order to potentially lift it, Butt said, followed by further monitoring and testing.
But despite all the uncertainty, he said residents remain in good spirits and are thankful for the help and support from others across the province.
“[Spirits] seem to be high, and people are willing to help out,” he said.
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