Hundreds have been evacuated from communities in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick as rising water levels have led to flooding.
In Sherbrooke, Que., entire sections of the city were submerged Wednesday morning, as flooding forced 632 residents to evacuate their homes.
Mayor Bernard Sevigny said in a press conference Wednesday morning that the flooding is considered the worst to hit the region since 1982.
About 300 residents in Saint Raymond, Que., have been evacuated from their homes as water levels in the nearby Sainte-Anne River continue to rise.
The downtown area of the community remained closed Wednesday morning along with schools.
In Quebec City, officials say water levels in several rivers have reached dangerous levels and an emergency preparedness plan has been activated.
State of emergency declared in Tweed
A state of emergency has been declared in Tweed, Ont., due to widespread flooding that is impacting roads and homes in the community approximately 220 kilometres northeast of Toronto.
Officials say water levels on northern Moira River tributaries peaked Wednesday morning, but the cold temperatures will likely prolong the peak flows. Water levels in downstream flooded areas are expected to continue to rise slowly for another two days and remain above the flood stage for six to eight days before receding to normal spring levels.
Water levels on Stoco Lake in Tweed rose 13 centimetres over the last 24 hours and are expected to crest late Thursday or early Friday.
Tweed Mayor Jo-Anne Albert declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and fire officials in the community visited about 200 homes in high-risk areas.
The flooding in Tweed comes days after Belleville residents scrambled to protect their homes amid fears of major flooding.
In New Brunswick, rising waters are flooding homes, businesses and roads.
The Village of Sussex Corner has declared a state of emergency as officials coordinate boats to rescue people from their homes.
RCMP is advising motorists throughout the province to avoid flooded areas.
"Our roads are impassable," said Steven Gillies, mayor of Sussex Corner. The village, located about 120 kilometres east of Fredericton, declared a state of emergency as waters flooded about 120 homes and 10 businesses, he said.
Dozens of other homes were flooded in the neighbouring town of Sussex after the Trout Creek spilled its banks, Mayor Marc Thorne said.
"It's devastating," Thorne said, adding that water seeped into many homes that have not experienced flooding before, including his own where he has lived for 22 years.
With files from CTV Montreal and The Canadian Press
