Flooded causeway strands Mattis Point residents
CBC News
Posted: Feb 1, 2013 1:38 PM NT
Last Updated: Feb 1, 2013 4:34 PM NT
The Mattis Point Causeway is flooded with water and blocked with ice. (Courtesy Cynthia Bennett)
Residents of the west coast community of Mattis Point are cut off from the rest of Newfoundland because of flooding on parts of the causeway that provides access to the town.
Cynthia Bennett, the chair of the local service district, said heavy rain and high seas caused the 180-metre causeway to be washed out by water and ice in two places, making it impassable.
Bennett said residents couldn't get to work or school on Friday.
"It's scary because it's ice on the road," said Bennett. "The road itself is water flowing over, right? From the pond, which is a freshwater side. On the other side of the causeway is our bay, which is salt water."
Bennett said in case of emergency, the Department of Transportation and works could evacuate residents using one of its four-wheel drive vehicles,.
"Myself, I got a car and would not make an attempt," said Bennett.
Bennett said the causeway, which has no guardrails, can often be treacherous.
She has asked the provincial government to install an extra culvert on the causeway to prevent flooding.
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