UPDATE: Water Levels Start To Recede In Sussex Area

**Updated at 10:09 p.m. Monday**

There is welcome news for residents in the Sussex area who were on alert for potential flooding due to heavy rain.

Officials in Sussex and Sussex Corner say water levels in both communities have begun to drop once again.

“Trout Creek has started to recede,” the Village of Sussex Corner said in a Facebook post at 9:45 p.m. Monday.

The Town of Sussex issued a similar update about 15 minutes later, indicating that water levels created at 7:15 p.m. Monday.

“Since that time the levels have receded approximately 6″ [15 centimetres] and the downward trend continues, with a favourable forecast continuing to the morning,” said a Facebook post from the town.

Earlier in the evening, officials noted a “significant rise” in river levels in the Sussex area due to Monday’s heavy rainfall.

At 7:45 p.m. Monday, the village told residents in the Meadow Crescent and Cunningham Avenue subdivision to be on alert as Trout Creek was “nearing” flood stage.

People living in those areas were advised to have any medications and essentials ready in the event an evacuation became necessary.

The Town of Sussex issued a similar notice about 45 minutes before that, telling residents to take the necessary steps to prepare for flooding.

A rainfall warning remained in effect Monday evening for much of southern and southeastern New Brunswick, including the Sussex area.

Forecasters were calling for as much as 75 millimetres of rain in the warning area before it changes to a bit of snow by Tuesday morning.

“Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts,” said a statement from the national weather agency.