Badger, N.L. (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of the town of Badger in central Newfoundland were forced to leave their homes late Thursday after rising water from the Exploits River overflowed its banks, flooding parts of the community.
Local resident Melissa Mercer said the river, which she often describes as being “in her backyard,” had quite literally reached her property by Thursday night. Town officials ordered Mercer and dozens of others to evacuate as floodwaters advanced into residential areas. She has since taken shelter in a hotel in nearby Grand Falls-Windsor along with her two dogs.
Badger, a community of about 685 people, is located at the meeting point of three rivers, including the Exploits River, the second-longest river in the province. Residents are accustomed to seasonal swelling of the river, but Mercer said the water had never reached her yard before.
Authorities had been warning about the risk of flooding and ice jams for more than a week. According to residents, ice buildup in sections of the Exploits River restricted water flow, causing levels to rise and eventually spill over the banks. Monitoring teams were checking water levels regularly in the days leading up to the evacuation.
In a social media update, the town council said officials would continue monitoring the situation while police and fire department members patrolled affected areas. Displaced residents were advised to register at the local community centre. The provincial government also confirmed it was closely watching developments in the area.
Photos shared online showed water entering backyards and pooling along residential streets. Mercer said her basement was undergoing renovations, which offered some relief if flooding were to cause damage. However, uncertainty remains for many evacuees, particularly those with pets and concerns about long-term housing and potential damage to their homes.
Residents say they are anxiously awaiting permission to return, while acknowledging that changing weather conditions could worsen the situation.
