Homeowners return to houses as crews pump out flood water near N.L. highway

The rain flooded an area above the Trans-Canada Highway, threatening the road and about a dozen homes Friday night.

The town's fire chief, Craig Russell, said people were allowed back to their homes at around 6 p.m. local time

Several dozen members of the local fire department and crews from the provincial transportation department are using five water pumps and hoses to clear out the water.

The heavy rain had accumulated into a pool about 12 metres deep, but had receded significantly overnight.

"The water right now, I'd say has gone down close to six feet," said Russell.

The highway between Gander and Gambo was closed for about 11 hours on Friday night due to concern the water buildup might trigger a landslide. The road was deemed safe and reopened around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday.

RCMP Const. Brent Hillier said the three-lane highway is down to two lanes to make room for the crews and their pumping equipment, and drivers are being urged to slow down.

The culverts that run under the highway are designed carry rainwater away from the road and prevent water from accumulating. However the culverts were blocked by debris during a previous bout of flooding at the end of July that caused millions of dollars in damage.

Roads were washed out and dozens of homes were flooded after 60 to 70 millimetres of rain fell in just nine hours, causing flash flooding.

"The people hit this time are the same ones that were hit before so it's very discouraging for them," Gambo Mayor Lloyd Noseworthy said Saturday.

"Some are very upset to be out of their homes for the second time in a three-week period."