Sussex resident calls for permanent solution to flooding

Elena Monchalova is a Ukrainian newcomer who is a resident in Sussex. Her basement was flooded during the storm. (Louis-Philippe Trozzo/CBC)

Elena Monchalova, a Ukrainian newcomer living in Sussex, N.B., woke in the middle of the night on Wednesday to loud sounds coming from her basement. Looking out the window, she saw her house engulfed by water.

This isn't the first flooding she has witnessed, she says. In a previous storm, a couple centimetres of water got into the basement. But the water was a metre high and rising this time.

"I prayed," she said. "It was terrible."

Last Tuesday, a storm caused rivers to overflow and spill into the streets in Sussex, resulting in similar flooding for many residents. Twelve streets had to be closed and 24 people had to leave their homes.

Monchalova, her husband and two children were in the house and watched the water rise, knocking over their boiler.

The family doesn't plan to leave Sussex, but Monchalova said the government must be better prepared.

"We pay taxes, good taxes, and we must feel safe. It's not good for your health because it's always cold [because of the flooding]. And it's expensive."

The basement wall in Monchalova's basement shows where the water level was during the flooding. It was over a metre high. (Louis-Philippe Trozzo/CBC)

Possible solution

Scott Hatcher, the town's chief administrative officer, said Sussex has collaborated with engineers on a plan that would divert some water from Trout Creek through a channel to the Kennebecasis River.

The project would cost $38 million, and the town is seeking funding from all levels of government, he said.

"Even if we had the funding tomorrow, it would take five years to get it completed," he said. "But it will work, and most importantly, work every single time."

Hatcher said as many as 657 homes have been partially or severely damaged at a cost of $190 million.

The town has put out dumpsters across the town, especially in the streets hit the hardest, to collect trash and debris. He said he expects the cleanup will last up to two weeks.

He advises residents to document any damage done to their properties due to the flooding and to register it with the town.

"It's a significant loss for many, many people in this community," he said.