Hundreds forced from homes as Stephenville, N.L. flooded
Last Updated Wed, 28 Sep 2005 12:52:47 EDT
CBC News
Hundreds of people remain out of their homes in the Stephenville, Newfoundland area. A state of emergency was declared Tuesday because of extensive flooding. Heavy rains caused two rivers to spill over their banks, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes.
About 140-millimetres of rain had fallen by late Tuesday afternoon.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams toured the flooded area yesterday. He said Prime Minister Paul Martin has extended an offer of federal assistance to the province.
Officials began a door-to-door evacuation of low-lying areas at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday as the flooding began.
About 200 homes were flooded, some with water up to the windows, and several dozen vehicles were submerged.
The province and the Canadian Red Cross have set up a reception centre in the provincial armoury.
Although the three bridges in Stephenville are intact, the roadways leading to the bridges have washed away.
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