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2008-05-01, 11:35 AM
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/topstories/2008/05/01/fredericton_flood_thursday_sign.jpgSome of the busiest roads in Fredericton were quiet Thursday morning after being closed because of the flooding of the St. John River. (Submitted by Juanita Atkins)More than 50 roads will be covered in water by the time the St. John River crests in the Fredericton area, says a city official.
There were 34 roads closed in the city as the sun came up on Fredericton Thursday morning, revealing the latest damage of the flood.
"If you don't have to go downtown today, don't do it," said Bob Martin, spokesman for Fredericton's emergency operation centre.
The rising waters have forced the closure of the provincial legislature, city hall, courthouse and all schools in the capital city.
Martin said more than 50 roads will be covered in water by the time the river crests in the Fredericton area.
A statue of Lord Beaverbrook is standing on a small granite island overlooking a flood-water lake occupying Officers' Square in downtown Fredericton.
A kayaker spoke with Colleen Jones of CBC News on Thursday morning as he made his way down what is usually one of Fredericton's busiest roads during the morning rush hour. It is completely covered with water.
Parking lots along the riverfront in the capital city are covered in water. On some streets, only the tops of parking meters remain visible above the water.
Sandbags are in front of many businesses along Queen Street while water bubbles through manholes in some areas of the downtown.
The ramps to the Westmorland Bridge are under water and closed, making commuting difficult as residents attempt to cross to the city's south side.
Officials are asking that employers allow employees to stay home Thursday to reduce traffic into the flooded areas.
Police have reported that several people are ignoring road barricades that have cropped up around the city.
As the waters continue to rise in the city, soon the police will no longer tolerate people walking or driving around the roadblocks, Martin said.
People should not be entering the downtown area to see the flood and take photographs, he said.
NB Power has disconnected more than 394 customers in the Fredericton area.
Residents in Fredericton and Maugerville should be aware that even if their homes are not reached by the flooding, their power may still be disconnected if they are on a line affected by the water, said Heather MacLean, spokeswoman for NB Power.
Customers should expect to be without power for an extended period of time, said the utility. All residents who are affected by the floods are being asked to call NB Power to have their power disconnected and should not attempt to turn off the power themselves if there is water already in their home.
The water did not come up as quickly as anticipated in Fredericton on Wednesday night. Officials had projected it would reach 8.6 metres by Thursday morning.
But a cool night saw the river only reach 8.28 metres by Thursday morning, said Andy Morton, deputy director for the Emergency Measures Organization. The river is still expected to reach, and possibly exceed, 8.6 metres.
A record of 8.63 metres was set in 1973. Flood stage in the city is 6.5 metres.
Evacuate, says Fredericton mayor
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/topstories/2008/05/01/fredericton_flood_thursday_park.jpgMost of Fredericton's parks and public walking paths had been engulfed by water by Thursday morning. (Submitted by Barbara Walls)Many people have been forced to leave their homes in the city and its outlying areas. The rising waters are expected to reach more than 1,300 homes.
Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside has issued a call for any residents living in flood-prone areas to leave their homes.
The Red Cross is providing shelter for displaced families at the University of New Brunswick. About 460 people had registered with the organization as of Thursday morning.
Fredericton police and the fire department have stationed boats on both sides of the St. John River.
Although the marine units are available for emergencies, Martin said, it will still take time for officials to respond to calls.
Emergency officials are trying to avoid sending their staff into the flooded areas because of the amount of debris in the water, Martin said. Residents should also take extreme caution if they are passing through any flooded area by foot, car or boat, he said.
Officials said Maugerville and Jemseg, downriver from Fredericton, will likely see the worst of the flooding. In Maugerville, the water is expected to reach 7.2 metres above sea level by Friday. Its flood stage is six metres. The level in Jemseg will reach 5.9 metres. Its flood stage is 4.3 metres.
While some families are leaving their homes in the low-lying areas outside the city, others are staying put.
Rain adds to snowmelt
The St. John River was already swollen with snowmelt when parts of northern New Brunswick, Maine and southern Quebec received up to 100 millimetres of rain earlier in the week, which is now funnelling into the river basin.
The 673-kilometre river stretches from its headwaters in Maine to the port city of Saint John, draining 55,000 square kilometres of land.
The flood waters are affecting the entire river, and New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization has issued a major flood warning for all people living along the basin.
Roadways throughout the province have been engulfed by the rising waters, including sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and Route 105.
In Maine, a state of emergency was declared on Tuesday night and more than 100 homes were evacuated in the Fort Kent area.
The International Bridge over the St. John River between Fort Kent and Clair, N.B., was closed amid fears the raging waters could drag it down.
New Brunswick Public Safety Minister John Foran said Wednesday that there was not yet a need to call a state of emergency in the province because all levels of government and emergency organizations are working well together.
Foran, however, urged New Brunswickers to heed all warnings coming from the Emergency Measures Organization.
There were 34 roads closed in the city as the sun came up on Fredericton Thursday morning, revealing the latest damage of the flood.
"If you don't have to go downtown today, don't do it," said Bob Martin, spokesman for Fredericton's emergency operation centre.
The rising waters have forced the closure of the provincial legislature, city hall, courthouse and all schools in the capital city.
Martin said more than 50 roads will be covered in water by the time the river crests in the Fredericton area.
A statue of Lord Beaverbrook is standing on a small granite island overlooking a flood-water lake occupying Officers' Square in downtown Fredericton.
A kayaker spoke with Colleen Jones of CBC News on Thursday morning as he made his way down what is usually one of Fredericton's busiest roads during the morning rush hour. It is completely covered with water.
Parking lots along the riverfront in the capital city are covered in water. On some streets, only the tops of parking meters remain visible above the water.
Sandbags are in front of many businesses along Queen Street while water bubbles through manholes in some areas of the downtown.
The ramps to the Westmorland Bridge are under water and closed, making commuting difficult as residents attempt to cross to the city's south side.
Officials are asking that employers allow employees to stay home Thursday to reduce traffic into the flooded areas.
Police have reported that several people are ignoring road barricades that have cropped up around the city.
As the waters continue to rise in the city, soon the police will no longer tolerate people walking or driving around the roadblocks, Martin said.
People should not be entering the downtown area to see the flood and take photographs, he said.
NB Power has disconnected more than 394 customers in the Fredericton area.
Residents in Fredericton and Maugerville should be aware that even if their homes are not reached by the flooding, their power may still be disconnected if they are on a line affected by the water, said Heather MacLean, spokeswoman for NB Power.
Customers should expect to be without power for an extended period of time, said the utility. All residents who are affected by the floods are being asked to call NB Power to have their power disconnected and should not attempt to turn off the power themselves if there is water already in their home.
The water did not come up as quickly as anticipated in Fredericton on Wednesday night. Officials had projected it would reach 8.6 metres by Thursday morning.
But a cool night saw the river only reach 8.28 metres by Thursday morning, said Andy Morton, deputy director for the Emergency Measures Organization. The river is still expected to reach, and possibly exceed, 8.6 metres.
A record of 8.63 metres was set in 1973. Flood stage in the city is 6.5 metres.
Evacuate, says Fredericton mayor
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/topstories/2008/05/01/fredericton_flood_thursday_park.jpgMost of Fredericton's parks and public walking paths had been engulfed by water by Thursday morning. (Submitted by Barbara Walls)Many people have been forced to leave their homes in the city and its outlying areas. The rising waters are expected to reach more than 1,300 homes.
Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside has issued a call for any residents living in flood-prone areas to leave their homes.
The Red Cross is providing shelter for displaced families at the University of New Brunswick. About 460 people had registered with the organization as of Thursday morning.
Fredericton police and the fire department have stationed boats on both sides of the St. John River.
Although the marine units are available for emergencies, Martin said, it will still take time for officials to respond to calls.
Emergency officials are trying to avoid sending their staff into the flooded areas because of the amount of debris in the water, Martin said. Residents should also take extreme caution if they are passing through any flooded area by foot, car or boat, he said.
Officials said Maugerville and Jemseg, downriver from Fredericton, will likely see the worst of the flooding. In Maugerville, the water is expected to reach 7.2 metres above sea level by Friday. Its flood stage is six metres. The level in Jemseg will reach 5.9 metres. Its flood stage is 4.3 metres.
While some families are leaving their homes in the low-lying areas outside the city, others are staying put.
Rain adds to snowmelt
The St. John River was already swollen with snowmelt when parts of northern New Brunswick, Maine and southern Quebec received up to 100 millimetres of rain earlier in the week, which is now funnelling into the river basin.
The 673-kilometre river stretches from its headwaters in Maine to the port city of Saint John, draining 55,000 square kilometres of land.
The flood waters are affecting the entire river, and New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization has issued a major flood warning for all people living along the basin.
Roadways throughout the province have been engulfed by the rising waters, including sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and Route 105.
In Maine, a state of emergency was declared on Tuesday night and more than 100 homes were evacuated in the Fort Kent area.
The International Bridge over the St. John River between Fort Kent and Clair, N.B., was closed amid fears the raging waters could drag it down.
New Brunswick Public Safety Minister John Foran said Wednesday that there was not yet a need to call a state of emergency in the province because all levels of government and emergency organizations are working well together.
Foran, however, urged New Brunswickers to heed all warnings coming from the Emergency Measures Organization.