Executive Director of the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, Greg MacCallum, during a River Watch update (Source: Govt. of NB)
Water levels in Fredericton and in northern regions have begun to stabilize, but levels in southern areas will continue to rise this week.
Executive Director of the New Brunswick EMO Greg MacCallum says not to let guards down yet, as levels are still quite high.
“Waters here in this area are stabilizing. I’m not going to be so bold as to say this is as high as water gets, but it’s certainly encouraging in this area to see that at least the rapid rise of water seems to be abating somewhat,” he said during a River Watch update.
April 22,2019: River Watch update
Posted by Government of New Brunswick on Monday, April 22, 2019
Jasmine Boisvert, a specialist with the Department of Environment, says the water levels are similar to those of 2008, but won’t be as bad as last year’s.
“So far it looks like the water levels in the lower basin could approach and even exceed levels seen in 2008, but so far it is not looking likely that it will exceed the levels of last year in 2018,” he said.
“I do however have to strongly remind people that this still depends on the weather, which can always change.”
MacCallum says while numbers are looking stable, people shouldn’t feel relieved just yet, as the river can be unpredictable.
“This isn’t the time to let anyone’s guard down or abandon efforts to secure personal safety and property. The river will remain very high for a number of days, and in some areas it is not yet reached the heights that it will attain in all likelihood,” he said.
MacCallum reminds people to be cautious while driving—avoid water on roads and report it if you see it. He also asks people to continue to obey barricades, as they are a matter of public safety. Moving them or ignoring them is a chargeable offense.
69 roads are currently impacted by flooding, and 44 are closed to all vehicles. A full list of closed roads can be found online.
MacCallum says if you have any doubt about whether to evacuate your home, err on the side of caution, and evacuate during the day.
The Canadian Red Cross says 198 people and 78 households are currently registered for disaster relief.
They have set up a Red Cross reception centre in Fredericton at the Centre Communautaire Sainte-Anne, 715 Priestman St.
There are now 200 members from the Canadian Armed Forces assisting with flood relief efforts across the province, including filling and distributing sandbags and performing wellness checks.
Operation LENTUS is the @CanadianForces response to the floods in #NewBrunswick due to the rising waters of the Saint John river.
Click here for photos: https://t.co/YOOBFJVw3Z@CTVAtlantic @Global_NB @NBEMO_OMUNB @JTFA_FOIA pic.twitter.com/5JzMRUPH8j
— 5thCanadianDivision (@5CdnDiv) April 22, 2019
A full list of sand and sandbag distribution centres, water levels and flooding impacts can be found on the River Watch website.
