We blogged about the sudden thaw and ice jams last Friday, and since then the village of Perth-Andover in New Brunswick has experienced some of the worst flooding in recent memory.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated over the weekend in Perth-Andover as well as in neighbouring Tobique First Nations. While the water has receded, allowing home owners to begin assessing the damage, the recovery process is only just beginning. This flooding has affected the entire community of Perth-Andover, including local schools, hospital and downtown businesses.
A team of 25 Red Cross volunteers worked in shifts through the weekend to provide assistance, from managing a reception centre and emergency shelter to offering meals and comfort items. They have registered more than 300 people who have been impacted by the flooding.
The Red Cross receives help from city of Moncton staff to load up trailers with flood cleanup kits destined for Perth-Andover.
Helping residents has been a team effort all around. The Red Cross is working closely with municipal and provincial officials. We also called upon our corporate partner, Walmart, to provide much needed items such as water. Local residents have also pitched in to help. Staff from the school cafeteria prepared meals for evacuees over the weekend. Elsewhere in the province, Moncton city staff helped Red Cross volunteers load up a trailer with flood cleanup kits that are being delivered in the community.
We've also heard from people wanting to help. The Red Cross is accepting donations to further assist the most vulnerable in flood-affected communities in New Brunswick.