N.B. EMO forecasts flood warnings this week on parts of Saint John River

New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization is issuing various flooding alerts for the Saint John River.

New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization says parts of the Saint John River will approach flood stage this week, with warnings, watches and advisories in the forecast.

EMO’s forecast, issued on Monday, has flood warnings in effect for Fredericton and Gagetown.

EMO says a warning means a flooding event is certain or is imminent.

Fredericton is forecast to hit the flood stage on Tuesday at 6.6 metres, with the river falling to 6.3 metres on Wednesday.

Gagetown is forecast to hit the flood stage on Tuesday (above 4.0 metres) with the river staying between 4.3 metres and 4.5 metres throughout the rest of the week.

Flood advisories and watches are in effect all along the Saint John River and its tributaries.

EMO says its River Watch campaign is at its first level of ‘enhanced monitoring.’ Level two is ‘partial activation,’ and level three is ‘full activation.’

Paul Bradely, spokesperson for New Brunswick EMO, says water levels in the upper Saint John River appear to have peaked, with the lower Saint John River expected to peak by mid-week.

“But things change quickly,” says Bradley. “We saw over the weekend how quickly the river did come up. We have to remain on guard and vigilant with what’s happening with the rivers and waterways.”

Fredericton response

The City of Fredericton says three locations are expected to be affected most when the city reaches flood stage: Bourque Lane, McMinniman Court, and the upper Queen Street parking lot downtown.

“A lot of these areas are prone to flooding, every year they’re low lying near riverbanks,” says Dave Banks of Fredericton EMO. “It should not impact traffic flow to a significant degree.”

The city has blocked off several trails along the river, including:

• Morell Park
• South Riverfront Trail – Lighthouse / Crowne Plaza to the Fredericton River Centre
• North Riverfront Trail – Carleton Park to Cliffe Street
• North Riverfront Trail – Between Westmorland Bridge and Hillcourt Drive
• North Riverfront Trail – Millennium Trail (Carleton Park to Cliffe Street)
• North Riverfront Trail – Picaroons through Carleton Park Western Section
• South Riverfront Trail – Sections between Lighthouse and Fredericton River Centre
• Salamanca – Morell to Princess Margaret Bridge

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