Flooding in Edmundston After Powerful Thunderstorms

A violent storm that hit the Edmundston area Wednesday evening caused widespread damage to municipal infrastructure and private property.

In the space of an hour, the storm dumped nearly 6 centimeters of rain, flooding at least 50 properties in the Edmundston North sector.

Officials say Olivier Boucher Road, Bishop Dionne street and Bossé street were particularly hard-hit with numerous wash-outs. Some streets in the Edmundston North area were covered with mud and gravel, but they were quickly cleaned by municipal teams.

Access to the bike path Le Petit Témis via Victoria Street was washed away by water and will be unavailable for some time.

Jacques Doiron, coordinator of emergency measures for the City of Edmundston said it was a real weather bomb that hit  the area. "Several residents told us that the water was coming through the windows of their basements.  The most important thing is that the people who have suffered damage to call the city at (506) 739-2103 and communicate with their insurance company."

Edmundston Mayor, Cyril Simard reminds citizens of the importance of reporting any damage to their property. "This is the only way to allow us to assess the damage and to consider whether we need to make a request for emergency financial assistance from the Province," Simard said.