Flood Details - 1981-02-24 - 1981-02-27

Saint John River Basin: An ice jam was reported to be located near Aroostook, about 50 kilometres west of Florenceville. The ice jam was reported to be about three miles [approx.4.8 km] in length. In the Hartland area, three ice jams resulted in rising river levels and flooding in the low-lying areas. One ice jam was located west of the town, above the Hugh John Flemming Bridge, causing flooding in the area of Buckwheat Creek. The highway (Route 105) was closed to traffic when the road was inundated with 0.6 metres of water and ice. A portion of the road was washed out in this area. At least four East Florenceville families were forces to evacuate their homes due to floodwaters. Another jam occurred at the Hugh John Flemming Bridge, while the third jam had formed at the lower end of Sproll's Island (near Nixon Siding). The old McMullin Flat at the south end of Hartland was flooded with ice lying on the back lawns of houses in that area. The ice jams at Buckwheat Creek and the Hugh John Flemming Bridge had broke on their own.

Saint John River Basin: The breakup of the river was reported to be "one of the earliest on record". The main jam in the Hartland area was reported to consist of ice cakes 0.6 metres thick which were piled up to six metres high.One of the homes, evacuated at East Florenceville, was reported to have about four inches [approx. 100 mm] of water over the main floor. Two spans of the covered bridge were destroyed in 1920 when ice jammed and ripped out the old wooden piers. The piers were then replaced with concrete piers.

One home was reported to have flood damages exceeding $10 000