NB flood: Startling stats show why you should pay attention
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 11:52 AM - Rapidly-rising floodwaters has the Province of New Brunswick on high alert, with more rain on the way.
Some are comparing the weather disaster to the floods of 1973, which inundated Fredericton and its surrounding farmlands, causing $12 million (about $80 million in 2018 dollars) in damages.
The current situation hasn't reached that level yet, but forecasters are calling it one of the worst floods to hit the area in decades.
NEW BRUNSWICK FLOODING COVERAGE
FOLLOW NATHAN COLEMAN ON TWITTER (@NATETWN) FOR CONTINUED, LIVE UPDATES
Here's a look at the current flood situation.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 8 (metres): Current approximate water levels on the St. John River in Fredericton.
- 1,900: People evacuated in Saint John
- 104: New Brunswick customers have lost power due to flooding (as of May 1)
- 83: Residents have registered with the Red Cross
- 50: Approximate number of roads closed due to flooding
- 30 mm: Fredericton could see up to 30 additional millimetres of rain through Friday, aggravating an already-critical situation
VIDEO: FLOOD RESCUES CONTINUE
NOTABLE QUOTES
"It will not be business as usual for commuters this week. Our transportation network is severally impacted. We are down over 800 parking spaces. As a result we are encouraging people to find alternate ways to get to work this week to help reduce the amount of cars in the downtown area." - The City of Fredericton - May 1, 2018
"This flood is testing our patience and resolve, but is far from over. Many fellow residents are hurting. Stay strong Fredericton." - Mike O'Brien, Mayor of Fredericton, May 2, 2018 (via Twitter)
"To everyone in New Brunswick & Quebec affected by flooding – please stay safe and follow the advice of local officials. My thanks to the crews & first responders working hard out there in tough conditions." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, April 30, 2018 (via Twitter)
Geoffrey Downey, spokesperson for the province's Emergency Measures Organization, on monitoring flood conditions south of Fredericton (via Global News)
“A few of them are looking at flood levels rivalling 1973, which is the worst on record. For every community south of Fredericton, we’re asking that they be on high alert, that they consider their property’s flood history and give serious consideration to self evacuation.”
