As the water recedes in Beauceville, merchants face uncertainty and despair

Two days after the Chaudire River flooded Beauceville, some downtown merchants wonder if they'll ever recover.

"Everything was destroyed," said Karine Malenfant, the co-owner of Le Loft, a bar and bowling alley. "The walls are destroyed. All the equipment is beyond recovery and same with the furniture. The supplies are gone; the computer is gone.

"We lost everything. It was our dream, our future. We invested all our money here, all our time, all our energy."

About 300 buildings, including 230 homes, were flooded Tuesdaywhen an ice jam gave way.The water rose quickly, carryingchunks of ice,garbage cans and even propane tanksonto the road.

Malenfant and her husband opted to spend Monday night at their businessso they could respond if thefloodwaters rose. Butthe strength and speed of the flood was beyond what they coulddeal with.

"The door completely exploded," she said. "Outside, I saw animals running:mice, rats. Water was rushing in everywhere."

The water pouredinside, bringing with it huge blocksof ice andsweeping Malenfantright off her feet.

"I have bruises," she said."I was hit by chunks ofice. I survived by grabbing onto a piece of equipment.We had to get outfromthe roof."

Now, as they face cleaning up and rebuilding, Malenfant and her husbandare at a loss. The property was uninsured. The couple has no otherincome.

The owner of the Normandy restaurant, Marquis Fortin, has has seen several floods inthe 35 years he has lived in Beauceville.

He did everything he could to protect his business, but the floodingthis year was unprecedented, he said.

The floodwaters came in two waves, and although Fortinand his employeesbuilta dam with sandbags and pumped the water out, it was a losing battle.

Then an explosion occurred, probably caused by agas leak, andthe entire building moved.

"All the menus jumpedon the tables. The pressure caused a whistling sound. We felt the building shake. The power went out," he said.

"I've seen a lot of disasters, but now I'm completely helpless. I don't know what to do. We're waiting for the insuranceinspectors to assess it."

"There are disastersevery four or five years....I was preparing my retirement, but nowI don'tknow anymore."