SHERBROOKE – Residents in Sherbrooke should be able to return home soon, announced public officials.
Around 600 homes were evacuated after water levels of the Saint-François River rose to nearly eight metres higher than normal.
It has since receded to about six metres.
“It’s always bad when police and fire fighters have to knock on the doors at 3 o’clock in the morning,” said Bernard Sevigny, Sherbrooke Mayor.
400 people were allowed back into their homes Wednesday night, while the remaining residents will be given the OK throughout the day.
Authorities are planning to begin cleanup on on the roads and bridges that were shut down because of the flood.
Wednesday, much of downtown Sherbrooke remained under several feet of water.
The high water levels forced one of the city’s major intersections to close – though it didn’t stop some people from crossing in waist deep frigid temperatures.
“A little bit cold,” said one resident as he crossed the flooded intersection.
“Not that bad though.”
Many residents say they haven’t seen this many flooded out streets, parking lots and homes in years.
“It’s just crazy,” said long-time Sherbrooke resident Sylvain Alary.
“Lots of damage. Very bad for people who work here and live here.”
READ MORE: Flood alert in Sherbrooke now an evacuation order
The floods have been devastating to the region’s economy.
The Maxi grocery store is closed, and the manager can’t say when it will re-open.
Other store owners are desperately pumping water out of their shops and onto the streets.
Across town in Lennoxville, the situation wasn’t any better.
Water has flooded the properties of many homes, and even forced the closing of Bishop’s University.
“This seems a little worse than 2010,” said Jennifer Ciancu, a professor.
“Might take a little longer.”
WATCH: Raw video: Heavy flooding in Sherbrooke
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