News Release
City Braces For Major Flood Event
May 1, 2008
City Braces For Major Flood Event
Fredericton (April 30, 2008) - The director of the City's Emergency Operations Centre is urging residents stay out of the downtown core as flood waters rise today to 8.6 metres, very close to the level of 1973 flood, which was among the worst in the city's history.
"We have closed 22 roads in the City already and it looks like another 20 will be affected,' said Fire Chief Philip Toole. "It's a major flood event as big as in 1973 or close to it."
As of 6:00 p.m. today, all ramps on and off the Westmorland Street bridge are closed, Also, Union Street at the underpass (Station Street) now has water across the road. Lincoln Road below Dunns Crossing is expected to be closed later tonight, Riverside Drive at McMinniman Court is now covered with water.
Traffic coming off the Princess Margaret Bridge can still access the Marysville Bypass and will be monitored over the coming hours.
Roads that were closed in the City of Fredericton as of 4 p.m. Wednesday include: McMinniman Court, Jarvis Street and Hossack Court in Lower St Marys; Bourque Lane and McFadzen in the Lincoln area; Hazelwood at Riverside Drive; Ramey at Riverside Drive; Legere Street; Riverside Drive; Wallace Avenue at Main Street; Burpee Street.
The Department of Transportation has a list of the most up-to date road closures at http://www1.gnb.ca/cnb/transportation/flooding-e.asp
Route 105 from Jemseg all the way to Fredericton is now completely closed to all traffic.
Mayor Brad Woodside issued a call for any residents who live in flood prone areas to evacuate.
"It's become a lot more intense today and it will be even more intense tomorrow," said Woodside. "I urge anyone living in flood prone areas to get out now while you still can."
Residents who need to evacuate should register with the Red Cross at 1-888-893-1300. The Red Cross are continuing to take registration information and provide support as needed. They will make preparations for additional facilities as required. By noon today more than 50 people had registered.
All city schools as well as Lincoln Elementary School in Oromocto will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Most businesses and offices in the downtown area will be closed until further notice. Other buildings closed until further notice include the Justice building, the College of Craft and Design, the York County Courthouse and Clark House (New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame). City Hall will also be closed Thursday and Friday. By mid-afternoon the Crown Plaza Hotel was closing and moving guests out.
There will be no bus service to Lower St. Mary's until further notice. Barkers Point buses will be re-routed through Marysville. Fredericton Transit passengers should call 460-2200 after 6 a.m. Thursday for the latest information.
"The flood will impact some routes and timing," said Transit Manager Sandy MacNeill. "We will do our best to provide normal service."
The City Police and Fire Department have stationed boats on both sides of the river and have acquired additional four-wheel drive vehicles to provide support and security during the flood. Police and firemen visited 900 homes in low lying areas of the city in the past 24 hours and were going back to revisit some holdouts today to urge them to evacuate.
"We have the resources available and are prepared to deal with this exceptional event," said Police Chief Barry MacKnight. "We will be increasing our patrols in evacuated and flood prone areas and our Neighbourhood Action Teams have been redeployed to specific flood related tasks as required."
The City of Fredericton is offering free bags of sand to anyone who requests it. Anyone interested should call 460-2996 for instructions.
NB Power has a crew in Fredericton on both sides of the river, with extra crews on standby. They can disconnect power for people on short notice. If you need to disconnect your power call NB Power at 1-800-561-4034. Any home that has power disconnected due to the flood must have their home inspected by a licensed electrical inspector before the power is turned back as a safety precaution.
Flood forecasters at the Emergency Measures Organization are expecting the water to reach 8.6 meters both Thursday and Friday. More than 100 mm of rain fell in the northern reaches of the St. John River watershed in the last two days
The City of Fredericton Emergency Operations Centre continues to work on a 24/7 basis, and command posts have been set up on both sides of the river. For non-emergency flood information, city residents can call 460-2996.
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Martin, Assistant Deputy Chief (Operations), Fredericton Fire Department, 506-460-2969.