Safety hazards persist as floodwaters retreat, say EMO officials

Water levels are gradually dropping across New Brunswick, with emergency officials warning the public against a variety of hazards left in the wake of historic flooding.

From structurally unsound roads and bridges to dangerous fiddleheads, health and safety risks abound as officials begin to discuss the recovery effort and more than 1,400 displaced residents eagerly await their return home.

"We continue to ask New Brunswickers to show the same patience and the same consideration that they've demonstrated since this flood began," said Greg MacCallum, director of the provincial Emergency Measures Organization.

The St. John River has fallen for a second consecutive day, creating a considerable change in parts of Fredericton that were under water for a week and a half. About 40 roads were closed in the capital at the flood's peak, but that number is down to 10 and all ramps to Westmorland Bridge have reopened.

In northern New Brunswick, field inspection teams are finishing their work in Grand Falls and Miramichi and are beginning their damage assessments in the Fredericton area, according to the EMO director.

The flood isn't over for much of the lower basin, however. Every community between Fredericton and Saint John is expected to remain above flood level until the weekend.

"Response is still the theme of operations," MacCallum said during a news conference Wednesday.

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Evacuations are still occurring along the southern reaches of the river, and emergency personnel are present on the water and at barricaded roads. That won't change until the conditions do, he said.

The province's five-day River Watch forecast suggests Fredericton could dip below its 6.5-metre flood stage by Saturday. On Wednesday, the river along the capital city hovered just above seven metres.

Levels in Saint John are forecast to retreat below the 4.2-metre flood stage by Sunday, but the communities of Grand Lake, Jemseg and Sheffield are expected to remain above flood stage until next week.

Hazards

It's common to see fiddleheads being sold out of the backs of trucks on the side road following the annual spring freshet, but health officials say the furled fern and other edible plants may not be safe this season.

Boiling wild edible plants exposed to floodwaters could kill microbial contaminants but not chemical ones. A 30- to 90-day waiting period after the water is cleared is recommended.

Officials will also assess affected cropland to determine if any restrictions will be applied.

There will be restrictions placed on some roads and bridges, including the bridge in Chipman that's expected to reopen Wednesday but with a 12-tonne weight restriction.

The Trans-Canada Highway remains closed between Fredericton and Moncton, but the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said the section of highway could reopen with one lane in either direction on the weekend. Significant amounts of debris have been scattered across the highway.

Transport department operations director Ahmed Dassouki said once the water recedes they will know the full extent of damage and debris, and crews are clearing what they can.

Dassouki cautioned motorists against driving on closed roads even if the water has receded, saying the structural integrity of the road or bridge may have been compromised during the flood.

More than 150 provincial roads have been affected by flooding, and the department's priority is restoring links to isolated communities, he said.

MacCallum warned boaters to stay off the river, because the water is unsafe and full of debris.

EMO officials also continue to warn residents that floodwaters could be "heavily contaminated" with sewage and pose health risks. Many sewage systems have been compromised by the flooding.

On Wednesday, the City of Saint John closed four public parks because of flooding and health and safety concerns.

"We're treating this water as contaminated," said Joe Armstrong, deputy director of the Saint John Emergency Measures Organization.

"Nobody's sure what's in it. There's no doubt some [raw] sewage in it."

Compensation program expanded

Cottagers whose properties have been damaged by the flooding could be getting some financial assistance from the province, given the economic impact of cottages and summer tourism on surrounding areas, Premier Brian Gallant said Wednesday.

Last week, the province launched a financial aid program for people affected by severe flooding this spring — a program set by the federal government, which pays for about 90 per cent of its costs.

Gallant initially said the disaster financial assistance program would be available for individuals, small businesses and municipalities that suffered property damage when water in the lower St. John River basin rose to historic levels.

Recreational properties, particularly in the Grand Lake region, were among the hardest hit residences in the past two weeks.

Cleanup effort

EMO officials say it could take months before life returns to normal for residents affected by severe flooding.

"The damage is going to be widespread. There's going to be a lot of it," said Geoffrey Downey, EMO spokesperson.

"Maybe your home wasn't flooded out that badly, but whatever might be in the water has created potential health issues that you have to address as well."

Downey expects people forced to evacuate from their homes over the past two weeks will be returning soon, moving them into the recovery stage.

"There's a lot of people heading home soon to find their homes in an unbelievable state," he said. "The long arduous process of rehabilitating their homes will begin."

He said this could take time, depending on resources and labourers available to do the work.

Saint John Mayor Don Darling said this was likely the largest disaster in the province's history and there's a lot more work to do, including repairing roads, homes and infrastructure in the area.

"There's a lot to work through, and public safety will not be compromised," he said.

Health and safety inspection teams are being deployed across the province to assess damage and determine what repairs are required for residents to return home.