Residents in the village of Sebright are struggling to stay ahead of rising flood waters today.
People are rushing to save their homes and belongings, and in some areas water has already reached the houses.
Residents there are frantically filling hundreds of sand bags to try and help keep the water at bay. They’re stacking them high in knee-deep water trying to push back the water.
“I'm hoping it won't come any further than where the bags are and it absorbs the water,” says resident Sandy Jackson, adding they have built a moat around the house.
The water levels have been steadily rising since the weekend. A flood warning remains in effect across the City of Kawartha Lakes. At least 10 roads are washed out. And in Sebright, cottages and homes are surrounded by water.
Heather and Ron Stevens' sump-pump has been working non-stop and for the last three days they've been surrounding their home with sand bags.
“It's been going in a little bit in our basement, but we've been making sure the sump pumps keep going and we're going to be doing more sandbagging today where we notice the water is creeping in,” says Heather Stevens.
The City of Kawartha Lakes has been dropping off sand by the truck-load and helping residents protect their homes with sand bags. But pushing the water back has been a challenge.
The basement at the community hall and library started to flood yesterday and water is still pouring in.
Officials say the recent snow fall and below-freezing temperatures Tuesday will help slow down the water flow, but there is still so much more snow and ice to melt that water levels will continue to rise. With warmer weather and rain expected later this week, people are worried the worst is yet to come.
“We easily have half the amount of ice still out there. It scares me,” says Jackson.
The city and conservation authorities say people in low-lying areas should brace for more flooding as water levels are expected to rise over the next 48 hours.
And if you're a cottage owner, you’re being urged to avoid the area this long weekend.