The Easter weekend was anything but joyous for New Brunswick, as the province suffered significant flooding caused by aggravated snowmelt.
The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization forecasted last week that a gradual snowmelt in the province’s northwest is expected to accelerate. Spokesperson Geoffrey Downey told The Canadian Press that the melting could lead to the St. John River rising 1.5 metres above flood levels this week.
“We're confident flooding is on the way and it could be significant flooding in a number of places, including in Fredericton,” Downey said in a phone interview.
As of Sunday, the floodwaters have forced the closure of at 35 roads in the province.
In a news conference earlier this week, Premier Blaine Higgs said the government “won't hesitate to declare a state of emergency if public safety demands it.”
On top of the snowmelt, heavy rain has also been identified as one of the other factors that led to the flooding.
Provincial officials have said there have not yet been mandatory evacuations, but several residents have voluntarily left their homes. Officials have also said that in Fredericton, there were up to 200 homes that suffered from flooded basements.
Other communities along the St. John River have been advised to remain on high alert by the province’s Public Safety Department.
Environment Department water resources specialist Jasmin Boisvert projected that flooding will occur next in an area between Fredericton and Saint John for the next five days.
