‘The worst flood we have seen since 1973'
The worst is finally over in the Valley, according to Emergency Measures officials, in what is being considered the worst flooding in nearly 35 years.
"We can characterize this as the worst flood we have seen since 1973," said Emergency Measures Organization's (EMO) deputy director Andy Morton.
Last week, water levels in the St. John River rose drastically throughout Carleton County, flooding several communities and roads.
Route 105 had to be closed down in Bristol on Thursday as water engulfed the main access route into the village.
Just a few kilometres down the road in Riverbank, Department of Transportation (DoT) crews had to detour its Hunter Road detour as the water level rose fast, cutting off direct access to Stickney.
Stickney resident Kendell Hawthorne said he has lived in the community his entire life and hasn't seen flooding like it before.
"I have never seen it (water) up this high," Hawthorne said Thursday afternoon. "The only thing that is different is one of the other years it was like this it had ice with it. You haven't got the ice this time, but, as far as the water goes, I don't ever remember it as high as it is here."
Hawthorne pointed out his home was safe, but his neighbour, Carl Wood's, home was surrounded by water and the basement was flooded.
In Hartland, water in the Becaguimac River rose to touch the bottom of the old train bridge, and a section of Route 105 in Lower Brighton was once again submerged, forcing DoT to reroute traffic between Route 585 and the Rideout Road.
In Simonds, the fast-moving St. John River cascaded down Route 103.
Resident Ivan Shaw said his front yard and driveway were completely submerged in about a foot and a half to two feet of water, and it was beginning to seep into his basement
"There is water on the (basement) floor," he said on Thursday.
Like Hawthorne, Shaw said it is the worst flooding he has seen in his region.
"This is unusual circumstances because we have been flooded before – one severe in ‘86 and then again in 2005," he said. "Both times were because of ice jams and the river backing up, but this is the first high water ever since 1976. This is unusual circumstances because of snow and then that huge rainfall we had this week."
By Friday afternoon, the water level in Simonds reached 48.98 metres with the flood stage at 48.5. In Hartland, it was at 47.22 metres with a flood stage of 45.7, and, in Woodstock, water levels peaked at 41.55 metres with flood stage at 41.4.
Morton said the high water levels were attributed to the rapid snow melt and a heavy rainfall last Tuesday. Because northern Maine and New Brunswick received the brunt of the heavy rain, the excess water was carried into the region by the Meduxnekeag and the Aroostook rivers.
The mild weather saw water levels recede over the weekend, he added. By Sunday afternoon, water levels dropped to 47.04 metres in Simonds, 45.27 metres in Hartland and 41.27 metres in Woodstock. He said the worst is over for Carleton County.
"From Woodstock and above, water levels are receding everywhere," Morton said Monday morning. "There shouldn't be any large-scale increases in water now, but, of course, that is subject to the weather."
Clean-up efforts are expected to begin this week, and residents affected by the flooding can receive help from the provincial government.
On Sunday, Premier Shawn Graham announced a detailed program to help victims to receive water and electrical testing, health and safety inspections and damage and financial assessment assistance.
"This comprehensive program will help New Brunswickers recover from flood damage and return to their way of life as safely and as quickly as possible," said Graham.
"The Government of New Brunswick is proud to work with its partners in the affected regions to begin the recovery process, and we will provide needed assistance, both material and financial, to help New Brunswickers who had to evacuate their homes."
A provincial recovery call centre is being set up through Service New Brunswick, which began operations on Monday. Victims are urged to call to report damage and register for disaster financial assistance. Once registered, residents are provided with an information package and any required paperwork to initiate an assistance claim.
Once approved for disaster financial assistance, an individual homeowner must pay for the first $1,000 worth of damage. Social services clients are exempted. Small businesses are subject to a deductible of $5,000.
Flood victims can reach the call centre at 1-888-298-8555, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents may also apply online at www.snb.ca/EMO.
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