Red Cross volunteer helps out with N.B. flood

A Red Cross volunteer from P.E.I. has been helping where he can during the flooding in southern New Brunswick.

Communities along the southern part of the St. John River have been dealing with record breaking flood that demolished homes and displaced many residents.

Jamie MacKayarrived in Saint JohnSaturday morning and went right to work delivering emergency supplies to those who needed them inChipman, N.B.

"Roads were flooded out in the areas where the water had receded in. There was a lot of debris left behind" said MacKay.

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MacKaysaid he picked up the supplies in Fredericton and headed to Chipman, about 80 kilometres away.

Rushed delivery

The supplies included hygiene kits, cots and blankets to be used by those displaced by the flooding.

"It was a pretty rushed situation because Chipmanis essentially cut off now and I had to get in and out of the community before I got trapped there," MacKay said.

The water level in the community rose fast on Saturday cutting off the main road in and out of the community of 1,100 residents.

"I had moments. I couldn't waste any time. I had to get out immediately," MacKay said. "I was driving through water. The roads were under water."

MacKay said there were parts where he couldn't see the road because of the water.

Community support

A volunteer for four years, MacKay said this is his first experience working in a flood but adds the communities are pulling together and are supporting each other as much as they can.

"There's a lot of outpouring of support and help, that's the biggest feeling you're getting around here," he said.

While the water is receding, MacKaysaidpeople still face many challenges with cleanup and recovery.

"Maybe the worst is over but you have a whole different field starting up now where people are going home and evaluating," he said.

MacKaywill continue his volunteer work for a few more days, organizing accommodationsfor those who need it.

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