Residents of Amherst, N.S., and Sackville, N.B., stranded, displaced by floods

AMHERST, N.S. – Flooding in two communities near the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick border left some residents stranded and others displaced from their homes on Monday.

Amherst fire Chief Greg Jones said the department responded to a call at around 3 a.m. after heavy rains caused a nearby brook to crest its banks and flood a local seniors’ complex in the Nova Scotia community.

The power had to be shut off and 84 residents were forced to evacuate the building.

Although the floodwaters had receded from the rest of the town by 10 a.m., Jones said it is up to the complex’s property owner to determine when the residents can return.

Jones said he has never experienced such severe flooding in the town.

“I grew up in Amherst, and I can’t remember in the last 30, 35 years it ever being like this,” he said.

To get a sense for how deep it is at the subway #flood #Amherst pic.twitter.com/VAk2tWVeUp

— Greg Herrett (@AmherstCAO) June 22, 2015

In nearby Sackville, N.B., about 650 people were stranded due to flooding at the intersection of highways 106 and 935, and in the downtown area.

The town executed its flood contingency plans, which include positioning fire engines and heavy machinery on either side of the submerged area, and warning residents of the emergency.

Jamie Burke, senior manager of corporate projects in Sackville, said the town experiences flooding like this two to three times a year.

“But what we are certainly acknowledging is that these types of events seem to be happening more frequently,” he said.

In Christie Park. Good place to keep the kiddies ways from today. #flood #Amherst pic.twitter.com/0gok0pYTti

— Greg Herrett (@AmherstCAO) June 22, 2015

Heads Up Parents! Still lots of water near Spring Street Academy #flood #Amherst pic.twitter.com/wF3doUzENP

— Greg Herrett (@AmherstCAO) June 22, 2015