Flood waters that have plagued the Canadian province of New Brunswick over the past two weeks may have finally hit their peak, but residents still have a long road to recover.
As of Wednesday, water levels in the Grand Lake area — which includes the towns hit hardest by the floods — hovered around 21 feet, nearly 5 feet above flood stage, according to the CBC. Water levels in Maugerville were at 22 feet as of Wednesday morning, while Saint John is experiencing water levels at nearly 18 feet.
The flood was largely caused by a swollen Saint John River, due in part to sudden temperature changes as the region experienced frigid April snowstorms followed by early May temperatures as high as 69 degrees Fahrenheit, the Canadian Press reported.
More than 150 roads and bridges were closed or damaged by the flooding, according to the CBC. Around 85 roads are closed or partially closed, including a portion of the Trans-Canada Highway between Moncton and Fredericton, which closed last Thursday.
According to the CBC, 1,417 people in the region have registered with the Red Cross. Of that group, 230 are staying in shelters at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton and Saint John campuses.
