Flooding leaves local property owners stranded

“Our kids are so disappointed because they always have a big spread for Mother’s Day but they can’t get here and we can’t get there,” Bunt said.

This is 13 kms north of Crutwell.

Christie Cates and her husband live in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Buckland and they too are left stranded in their yard.

“Last week we were snowed in and this week we are flooded out,” she said.

The garden river runs through the back of their property. Noting the river level was down last year, Cates explained as recently as Saturday evening they were able to take their quad across to the river bank, but it’s now waist deep.

“And running so fast you wouldn’t want to walk across there anyway,” she said.

The feeder is normally on dry land (Image Credit: Submitted/ Christie Cates)

(Image Credit: Submitted/ Christie Cates)

Fortunately their house is up high enough so it will be safe and she’s hoping their outbuildings will be spared, too.

Pauline Ducharme Bear lives in the Meath Park area and is not so fortunate. Her property and basement are completely flooded. The 72-year-old spent the weekend loading up all her personal belongings.

“It’s not easy to do those stairs and carrying all those things up but I did do my best and I got the most important stuff,” she said. “I feel like I only have two days grace. One this cold weather is over then I’m done. It’ll be a lake around me.”

(Image Credit: Facebook/ Pauline Ducharme Bear)

Bear, who is in search of a horse trailer to help her move, said her main priorities are her cat and two dogs and if necessary, she is prepared to sleep in her car. Acknowledging her property has been in a flood zone since 1954, Bear said she has lived there for about 20 years.

“You think they should have known what they did to this corner, not sell it.”

Added to peoples’ frustrations is the fact barricades and signage alerting of washed out roads has been taken down and moved.

On their social media page, the RM of Garden River reminded people these measures are essential for maintaining public safety.

“A $1,000 penalty will be levied on those found to be removing caution devices.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Flooding leaves local property owners stranded

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