Floodwaters continuing to rise in southern areas of the province
Sarah Morin | CBC News | Posted: April 22, 2019 10:39 AM | Last Updated: April 22, 2019
St. John River water levels likely won't be as high as they were last year
The flood along the St. John River will peak in Fredericton and Maugerville on Monday before tapering off over the next few days.
Meanwhile, the water levels in Oak Point, Quispamsis-Saint John, Jemseg and Sheffield will continue to climb above flood stage in the next five days.
Clair, Fort Kent and Saint Hilaire surpassed the flood stage in the last 24 hours, according to Jasmin Boisvert, water resources specialist with the Department of Environment and Local Government. He said Edmundston is expected to join those communities in exceeding flood stage tomorrow.
"Water levels in these regions, should, in theory begin to peak tomorrow and start dropping the rest of the week," Boisvert said.
In the capital city, water levels will remain stable around 7.8 metres for the next two days, about 1.3 metres above the flood stage for the city.
"We are expecting that the flooding in the lower St. John River basin from Fredericton down to St. John will continue for at least the next five days," he said.
Flood won't reach 2018 levels
Late last week there was some concern that the flooding could be worse than last spring. In 2018, the St. John River reached 8.31 metres in Fredericton.
"That's not shaping up to be the case right now," said Geoffrey Downey, a spokesperson for the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization.
"Things change, but with the temperature dipping below freezing during the night in the north again and almost no precipitation in the forecast, hopefully we've seen the worst of it but everyone still needs to be prepared for significant flooding."
EMO is warning residents to be on alert, particularly if they live in a flood-prone areas.
The Red Cross has set up a reception spot at Centre Communautaire Saint-Anne in Fredericton, which is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Seventy-three houses and 198 people have registered with the Red Cross. They have beds available, but no one has chosen to stay overnight. People can also contact the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582.
About 200 Canadian Armed Forces troops were deployed Monday in five communities between Fredericton and Saint John to help fill and distribute sandbags check on the welfare of residents. That's an increase from the 120 troops deployed Sunday.
The Department of Transportation said 69 roads and bridges have been impacted by the flooding. Forty-four of those 69 are closed or partially closed.
Wayne Tallon, the director of Fredericton's Emergency Measures Organization, encouraged people to walk, bike and use city transit tomorrow instead of driving. The city has set up park and ride and park and walk locations for anyone trying to get to work in Fredericton's downtown core.
Downey said anyone travelling through a flood-prone area should check ahead and make sure there are no road closures. He also said people shouldn't try to go around any of the barriers blocking roads. More information about road closures can be found on the New Brunswick government's website.
"It's sort of a moving target for road closures as the river goes up and down."