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The number of roads and bridges completely closed to traffic totalled 81. The number of metres that the Saint John River was above sea level on May 03 in the Saint John and Quispamsis areas was 5.34. And, the number of homes evacuated by that same morning added up to 100.
These are just some of the figures The Canadian Press reported in its coverage of the record-setting flooding that has drenched New Brunswick and affected thousands of the province’s residents.
Flooding this bad hasn’t been seen in the province for a decade.
“Right now in New Brunswick, we’re seeing water levels that are similar to the levels that we had in 2008 and 1973, which were both the highest records levels – it’s really at a record high,” said Brian Schryer, president of Kent & White Insurance and board of directors’ president for the Insurance Brokers Association of New Brunswick. “There are a significant amount of people that have been displaced from their homes.”
In 2008, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s (IBC) records show $9.1 million in insured losses in 2017 dollars, according to Erin Norwood, manager of government relations for IBC in the Atlantic. Schryer said that he’s seeing better responses to this wave of flooding compared to 2008.
“The province and the municipalities definitely seem to be more prepared. They’re really doing an excellent job of handling the situation and coping with the flooding, and what it’s doing to the population,” said Schryer. “From a preparedness standpoint, we’re seeing a big improvement and an excellent job being done so far.”
While it’s still too early to determine the extent of damage from the ongoing floods, the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization has issued warnings that hint at the potential damage this water will cause.
“In some areas along the St. John River watershed, it is anticipated that water levels will exceed record levels set in 1973,” said the organization in a public alert.
IBC opened a consumer information centre to answer insurance-related questions for the province’s residents, and there could be quite a few considering that flood products are relatively new to the market.
“Overland flood is still a relatively new product,” said Norwood. “It’s really important that consumers understand their own individual policies and what’s covered.”
Schryer said Kent & White has already seen an influx of calls from clients noticing water in their homes.
“Right now, it’s going to be a situation where it’s going to have to be determined where the water came from,” he said. “There are houses in coastal areas that are experiencing water, but with flooding like this, and the amount of rain and snow that we’ve had in the last few weeks, you’re seeing a lot of sewer backup as well, just from municipal systems being overwhelmed.”
