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New Brunswick Flooding Is Strong Enough To Move Bridges (VIDEO)

Flood Strong Enough To Rip Bridges Off Hinges

People in New Brunswick are feeling the full force of spring as they grapple with floods strong enough to force bridges off their hinges.

CBC News shot video of Cherryvale's 87-year-old covered bridge being carried away in the Canaan River fafter flooding near Sussex on Wednesday.

Heavy rain and ice jams are causing rivers to jump their banks, The Waterloo Record reported.

River levels are forecast to remain high over the next 48 hours, with some areas expected to exceed flood stage within the same period, said a government news release.

Premier David Alward spent Thursday touring many of the flood-ravaged areas and warned people not to let their guard down.

A video posted to YouTube on Thursday that shows ice flows moving a bridge in Sainte-Marie de Kent highlights the dangers that people are facing all over the province.

Roads have been closed throughout the province. Officials are monitoring areas such as the Upper St. John River, which could reach flood stage in Clair on Thursday, while the lower St. John River in Fredericton has already reached that level and was expected to recede soon.

Perth-Andover, which reached flood stage overnight, is under a voluntary evacuation. Patients at St. Joseph's Hospital, have been discharged or moved to another medical centre.

Residents have started asking for provincial compensation but Danny Soucy, New Brunswick's local government minister, said that its current priorities lie elsewhere, CTV News reported.

"At this point, we’re looking at making sure that everybody is safe and secure," Soucy said.

Officials feel flooding hasn't yet reached the scale seen in 2012, when the province had to compensate Perth-Andover residents.

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