The town of Badger, Newfoundland has been devastated by a flash flood that came on in minutes leaving the town decimated and people with literally seconds to get out of their houses. Water levels are up to 6 feet, and to make matters worse it is winter here, so the water has froze and the town is encased in ice in an eerie scene. Pictures can be seen on both links below. The first link is for the Badger relief fund. Anything at all will help.

Take care,

A Newfoundlander.

www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=002314

www.gov.nf.ca/Badger

www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1045486966760_19/?hub=TopStories

NEWSDESK

17 Feb 2003 17:06

Flood freezes evacuated Newfoundland town

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Houses, cars and most things still standing in the small town of Badger, Newfoundland, appeared frozen solid on Monday after being engulfed by wall of icy water that forced the town's evacuation on the weekend, security officials said.

The about 1,100 residents of Badger, in central Newfoundland, on Canada's East Coast, may not be allowed home for days or weeks, but officials said no one was injured. Most residents were staying with family and friends in nearby towns.

Badger, at the confluence of three rivers, was transformed into a skating rink after an ice jam caused the Exploits, Red Indian and Badger rivers to spill over their banks. A state of emergency was declared.

Television pictures showed cars frozen in ice and houses flooded by about 1.5 meters (4.5 feet) of frigid water. Ice blocks smashed windows and doors.

"Water seems to be going down a little bit, but the situation is still dire," said a spokesperson with Environment Canada in St. John's, the provincial capital of Newfoundland.

Some water had reached the Trans-Canada Highway, a road that links the country from the East coast to the West, but did not force the highway's closure. The town's sewer system failed and its water supply has been contaminated.

Damages are in the millions in dollars, local media reported on Monday.($1=$1.52 Canadian)

Badger Relief Draws Huge Response 2/20/03 (VOCM News)

320-thousand dollars and counting, that's the tally for the Badger Relief Fund, after a special radiothon on VOCM's radio station in Grand Falls-Windsor, CKCM. Community groups, towns, businesses, fishing trawlers, and people from all over dug deep into their pockets for the cause. Four major banks, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank, the Bank of Montreal, and CIBC each donated 25-thousand dollars. VOCM Cares Foundation Executive Director Randy Simms says donations are still being accepted, through the Red Cross, The VOCM Cares Foundation or at any branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia. Al Pelley with the Canadian Red Cross told VOCM Niteline with Bas Jamieson the response to the radiothon was outstanding.

There was more than cash donated during yesterday's radiothon. Cohen's Home Furnishings donated a number of beds for people staying at the former Carmelite Seniors' Home in Grand Falls-Windsor, they also loaned a number of other items to assist those who have been displaced.

Donations of non-perishable food items for the displaced residents of badger are still being welcomed. Major Roy Bridger of the Salvation Army cautions however that food trays of prepared sandwiches and the like cannot be accepted. Bridger is asking any area groups, organizations or communities wishing to help out to call 489-5273. Non-perishables can be dropped off at either of the Salvation Army citadels in Grand Falls-Windsor, the two Pentecostal churches or Memorial United Church.

Pastor David Crane of the Pentecostal Church in Badger says he is very thankful for all the help being given to residents of Badger. He told VOCM Niteline with Bas Jamieson the residents are holding their own. Pastor Crane says they hope they can return the favour some day.

The Red Cross has upped its appeal for the Badger Relief Fund to three-million dollars. The initial target had been 250-thousand dollars; over 320-thousand dollars has been raised to date. Red Cross spokesperson Rhonda Kenny says they are overwhelmed by the support from across the province, and they are now hoping to raise 3-million dollars for the recovery phase of the project. Kenny says the money will be used to provide the basic necessities. She says any extra money raised which is not needed in Badger will go to the Canadian Disaster Relief Fund for other relief operations across the country.

The Newfoundland Club in Cambridge Ontario is joining the many people who are reaching out to help the people of Badger, displaced from their homes due to flooding last Saturday. Greg Stoyles, formerly of Bell Island, says he was approached by a number of Newfoundlanders in Cambridge who wanted to do something to help. He says they've set up a trust fund at the local Bank of Nova Scotia, and they intend to hold a fundraising dance next month.