Helicopter rescues family from flooded house

A Canadian Forces Cormorant helicopter rescued three people and two dogs on Thursday night from a Bathurst, N.B.,-area home that was surrounded by flood waters.

Fast-moving water and ice surrounded a home and proved too much for local emergency crews in Middle River on Thursday.

A Cormorant helicopter from CFB Greenwood had to be called in to move one family to safety at about 8:30 p.m.

Officials say the rescue went smoothly and everyone was removed safely.

The people of Mathilda Street in Middle River say they haven't seen anything like this for at least 20 years.

Danica Doucet, 22, lives on the street and she was at work when the flood hit.

"Around 3 p.m. it just let go and it's been pretty bad since then. It went from bad to worse actually," she said.

"There's just ice everywhere. Water everywhere. There's no more road. Like, you can see the pavement's letting go, it's crazy."

Doucet said she was able to steer clear of the flooding. But a family of three on her street was trapped.

She said the helicopter rescue was very dramatic.

"It was pretty intense. Like, you see this stuff on TV. You never think it would happen to your house or your neighbours. It was really ... it was awesome to see. It was crazy," she said.

Doucet said she must now wait for the water levels to recede before she and the other residents of the six homes on Mathilda Street can return to check out the damage.