While the waters are calmer in New Brunswick today, the levels continue to rise which means the trouble isn鈥檛 over yet for residents.
Around Saint John, approximately 229 people have notified the city that they鈥檝e evacuated their homes. And as the waters continue to rise, emergency services are trying their best to help more people exit their homes if they need it. But some people are determined to stay.
Duncan Bridges, a resident of Sheffield N.B., is one of the people who chose to stay in his home during the flood. His family left for higher ground, staying at his mother-in-law鈥檚 house in Burton N.B., but Bridges made the decision to stay behind.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to see the flood.鈥� Bridges told 麻豆传媒 Channel. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to get to the end of it and be able to tell my grandkids and my own kids that I made it through the 2018 flood.鈥�
The water crossed the approximately 400 feet from the river to his home, reaching the third step of his porch 鈥� something Bridges would have never thought possible.
鈥淚鈥檝e been through a few floods,鈥� Bridges said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been through 2008. 2005, I鈥檝e been through that one. And this is beyond [those].鈥�
Rain accumulation heading downriver has caused water levels to reach approximately five-and-a-half metres above what the river is normally at, reaching historic amounts. Authorities are expecting dozens of roads to flood over and become impassable today.
Grand Bay-Westfield resident Dave Bowen's says that the flood is one of the worst he鈥檚 experienced in his lifetime.
"Unfortunately it's come in about the same height as it did in 1973,鈥� Bowen told 麻豆传媒 Atlantic.
Even though water levels are coming nearer to the edge of his home, he鈥檚 keeping a positive attitude.
鈥淵ou just do the best you can to keep ahead of things, and hopefully time will be on our side," Bowen said.
The Canadian Coast Guard launched two boats yesterday to patrol the Saint John River, looking for people who may need assistance.
Keith Laidlaw, Deputy Superintendent for Environmental Response of the Canadian Coast Guard, says that the boats are out to provide residents with medical assistance, evacuation, and comfort. The Coast Guard wants to make their presence known on the water, so that people feel safe and secure, Laidlaw said.
Saint John EMO Director Kevin Clifford says that while they鈥檙e urging people to get out, the danger isn鈥檛 so pressing as to require a mandatory evacuation.
"We encourage them to think a certain way- this isn't something where I look someone in the eye and say 'You're going to die in the next two minutes,鈥欌�� Clifford told 麻豆传媒 Atlantic.
They are still encouraging people to leave their homes if they feel isolated, and if it鈥檚 possible for them to get out safely.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore and Laura Brown.
