Floodwaters send devastated family back to square one for 2nd year in a row

Flooding has destroyed much of a family's home on Grand Lake for the second year row.

Last year, the Mazerolles came home from vacation to find their house in Canning severely damaged by flooding. This year, they were rebuilding their $400,000 home farther back from the water and higher up, hoping they'd be safe from another flood.

"Mother Nature decided to flood again, so we're back to square one," Mary-Faith Mazerolle said.

Mary-Faith Mazerolle, her husband, their two teenagers and their cat and dog are staying with her mother. They haven't been able to returnhome since last spring.

After the flood hit last year, the Mazerollesstarted rebuilding farther away from the water on their seven acres of property.

Mazerolle said the financial costof the damage last year was"pretty devastating," totaling more than $300,000.

"We'll be a long time, if ever, recovering from that."

'Indescribable' stress

Mazerolle said she's lived on the lake throughout her life. The couple bought the home 17 years ago from her parents.

"We've always lived through the spring high water. The water would come up, the water would go down and it never bothered us."

Grand Lake water levels exceeded the flood stage this year, rising to more than 6.5 metres. The flood stage in Grand Lake is five metres.

These are the two main types of floods along the St. John River

5 years ago

Duration 1:35

Ice jams and open-water are the main types of spring floods along the St. John River.

Mazerolle said the mental stress of the past two floods has been "indescribable," but she's grateful for the help the family has received from family and friends during both floods.

"People just came and started helping, thank goodness."

Still,it's difficult not being able to live in your own home.

"We're living with my mom, which is really great that we can do that, but it's not your own space. Your whole life is upside down."

How the St. John River floods

5 years ago

Duration 1:26

How high will the St. John River rise this spring, and does the Mactaquac Dam have anything to do with it? A New Brunswick flood, explained.