The town of Badger, Newfoundland, has declared a state of emergency as rising water levels in the Exploits River threaten to cause significant flooding in the community.

Voluntary Evacuations Begin as Water Levels Rise

Residents of River Road and Beothuk Street, areas historically vulnerable to flooding, have already begun voluntarily evacuating their homes. Mayor Dennis Butt reports that water has already breached the riverbanks and is advancing into town streets.

Recent measurements indicate the water level is just two inches below what experts classify as a 20-year flood event, raising serious concerns among local officials and emergency responders.

Historical Context and Current Monitoring

The situation brings back memories of the catastrophic flood of February 15, 2003, when more than 1,000 Badger residents were forced to evacuate their homes in what became one of the most significant flooding events in the town’s history.

Local authorities have maintained constant surveillance of water levels and ice conditions on the Exploits River over the past week. A comprehensive river watch program remains active, with fire crews conducting round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.

Emergency Preparedness Measures

Town officials have installed water level markers throughout affected areas to track the rate of water rise, enabling quick response times if conditions worsen. The town council has urged all residents to remain alert and prepare for potential emergency situations.

‘The situation can change rapidly, and we need to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice,’ Mayor Butt emphasized, highlighting the importance of community preparedness during this critical period.

While no mandatory evacuation orders have been issued yet, emergency response teams remain on high alert as they continue to monitor the evolving situation.