Area residents feeling effects of flooding
Waterlogged Roads closed, ferries affected, rising river water laps at houses
SAINT JOHN - The flood that was once only a problem upriver - submerging major areas of Fredericton and forcing evacuations of some people along the St. John River - has now hit home for Saint John area residents.
The rising waters of the St. John River and its tributaries have brought water lapping at Saint John properties that are normally on dry land.
Elsie McGraw found her house on Dominion Park Road surrounded by water Friday afternoon.
On Thursday, she said, "I could get into my house through the front, no problem. This morning, it was like this" - an island surrounded by a sea.
Darby Richards, a resident of Morna, on the city's west side, was surprised when water reached the edge of his home Friday afternoon and began entering his basement.
"I wasn't really prepared for it," said Richards, who bought his home eight months ago.
He said he didn't expect the flood to damage his home too extensively, and that at worst, he would have to replace a wall or two.
"I think I'll probably be OK."
Things weren't going so well for Tony Palise, also of Morna, who said he had three sump pumps running in his basement Friday. Water surrounded his home.
"I should be able to stay here, because the back door is pretty high up," said Palise, "except if they have to shut off the electricity."
He said his electrical panel is in his basement, which could soon be underwater.
"I'm set up so I can plug into the neighbour's and keep the pumps going, or at least one pump going anyway," he said.
The provincial Department of Transportation has raised the landing dock at Hardings Point for the Westfield ferry more than two metres above its normal landing because of flooding by the St. John River. Officials warned there is a possibility of delays or stoppage of ferry trips in the next few days because of the flooding.
Water levels along the Kennebecasis River have been on the rise. The Gondola Point ferry landing was being barricaded with sand Friday to allow continued traffic flow to and from the ferries.
The Darlings Island Road is closed because the Hammond River has overflowed. The province has put boats in service to provide transportation to residents during daylight hours. A school bus is in service on Darlings Island to transport residents to and from the boats from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In the Kennebecasis Valley, the Renforth wharf was submerged on Friday, with waters almost reaching the bottom of the lighthouse. Mayor Ron Maloney of Quispamsis has encouraged residents to keep an eye out for water levels near their homes, and to make sure their properties are protected.
Saint John officials closed another street Friday because of flooding: Bay Street, near Westfield Road and Gault Road). That came after Dominion Park Road and Beach Road were closed to traffic Thursday and Lawrence Road was deemed passable only by truck.
The various departments involved with Saint John EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) met Friday evening to discuss the impact of local flooding, and activated a reception centre at the Denis Morris Community Centre on Greenhead Road. Residents can register at this centre if they choose to abandon their homes. It will also provide information on what residents can do in the event they experience flooding.
"Unlike Fredericton, where they have a number of residents where flooding has impacted their homes, in our case, the majority of the flooding has created accessibility issues for our citizens," said Saint John Fire Chief Rob Simonds.
Members of Saint John EMO will meet again today after monitoring the situation hourly over Friday night, to assess the situation.
Those with a non-emergency seeking flood-related information should contact their local emergency operations centre. In the Greater Saint John area, contact the Saint John District Emergency Operations Centre at (506) 643-6278.
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