SUSSEX CORNER, N.B. – Flood victims in Sussex Corner have gone through three major floods in the past year and are calling on the province to help with the problem.
Because of the flooding, some water logged homes are becoming infested with mold and are no longer insurable.
Anslie McAllister would like the province to help her move her home. When she bought her house in Sussex Corner next to Trout Creek about five years ago.
“We were told this year is in a 100-year flood zone,” she said.
But she quickly discovered that wasn’t the case. She, along with dozens of residents who live in the subdivision along Trout Creek, have suffered through four major floods since 2010.
McAllister said she is fed up.
“It is very frustrating. I mean we lose sleep at night, we are anxious every time it calls for a certain amount of rain,” she said.
She wants Trout Creek dredged to prevent such extreme flooding.
But Sussex Corner’s mayor, Steven Gilles, doesn’t believe dredging will work. Gilles believes the flood problems are caused further up stream.
“It starts with clear cutting and with all the clear cutting there is runoff of water, the brooks and the rivers are taking on more water,” he said.
He said the flooding has gotten much worse in Sussex Corner since trees have been cut upstream. Gilles believes it’s time the province step in to help flood weary residents.
“If you want to stop flooding my belief is you have to move these people out of this area,” he said.
McAllister said she’d be willing to move if she had financial help. Her basement has flooded so many times, her home is no longer insurable.
“We’ve had to battle with black mold. We’ve had to completely gut walls and bathrooms there is nothing left down there,” she said.
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