FREDERICTON – The province’s Emergency Measures Organization is warning that a 35 km ice mass in the north is on the move, and could cause severe flooding in the Perth-Andover area by Saturday.
Greg MacCallum, Director of NB EMO says there’s a “strong likelihood” the area will see flooding similar to 2012 levels.
“I would suggest if the scenario plays out the way we expect, it will affect communities north of Muniac: Perth-Andover, Tobique First Nation, that area,” MacCullum said. “Based on analysis by hydrologists and professionals and observers, this scenario is playing out.”
The ice mass is near Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska and will travel down the St. John River, hitting ice packs that have already been identified.
“It’s an accumulation of a bunch of ice as it moves along. It’s gaining momentum, and is moving through the river system, and as it approaches existing jams, with that much momentum, it may break through them, but ultimately, there’s going to be localized flooding,” he said.
“What I’m advising people to do in those areas that I talked about, is consider their individual circumstances, consider evacuating, if they’re living in an area that’s flooded before.”
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MacCullum is also advising the public that they need stay away from flood waters.
Two incidents over the last 24 hours have EMO worried about the danger of flood waters. On a river near Bathurst, children playing on a piece of ice fell into the water. And two females drove a car into the flood waters at the Oromocto wharf, and their car sank.
The individuals in both cases are okay, but had to be treated for hypothermia. The woman’s car still hasn’t been found.
“Not driving through water, no playing in water, not going near water,” MacCullum said. “This is not the time to be near the water when it’s behaving the way it is.”
EMO says residents in need of assistance or accommodation can go to the Perth-Andover Middle School at 20 Nissen St. or call the Red Cross at 1-800-222-9597. If they opt to stay with friends or family, they are still encouraged to register with the Red Cross.
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