Flood Details - 2019-01-20 - 2019-01-24

A blast of winter in some areas, and spring in others, made for a messy few days as many central and southern portions of the province suffered from flooding from two separate rain, snow and freezing rain events over the span of four days. In Saint John, rain left some streets submerged under ice clogged waters. Seven people had to be evacuated from ground level apartments in a three-storey apartment building due to localized flooding. There were several reports of flooded basements and leaking roofs, particularly in the Quispamsis area. One family had water come through their foundation and into their finished basement, which included two bedrooms, a family room and a laundry room. At its highest, there was about a foot of water in their basement. A neighbourhood in the Glen Falls area of Saint John was closed to traffic for several days due to ice covering the roads. Blockades were in place on Simpson Drive, Princess Court and Todd Street. It was estimated that it would take at least three tide cycles for the water to fully drain from the area. In Moncton, public works crews were kept busy with over 50 calls for flooding, as many of the storm drains in the city were clogged with ice. Large puddles formed on Sherrard Avenue, Evergreen Drive, Harrisville Boulevard, Hennessey Drive and other spots around the city. Parts of Vaughn Harvey Boulevard, Assomption Boulevard, Lewisville Road and many intersections on Mountain Road were closed due to water on the road. Officials with the City of Dieppe said crews had more than 40 reports of localized flooding on the 20th and 21st. January 24th brought another round of weather to the province this time mainly in the form of rain, leading to travel warnings and more road closures. In Fredericton, two different basement apartments in the city – one on the southside and one on the northside – were evacuated due to flooding. The Red Cross arranged emergency lodging, meals and other basics for the two individuals who were affected. Frozen ground and upwards of 60 millimeters of rain resulted in some “extreme flooding” in Miramichi on the 24th. City Police urged people to stay off the streets, as many vehicles were stalling in deep water and blocking traffic. The King George Highway was closed, and travel was not recommended on Route 8 from Miramichi to Jeanne-Mance. Environment Canada said the 24-hour rainfall amount surpassed the previous record for the January single day rainfall of 58 millimeters set in 1958. Sussex was one of the hardest hit areas for flooding, forcing 38 people from their homes along Trout Creek on January 24th. The town’s emergency measures group issued an advisory late on the 24th telling residents water levels had exceeded the flood stage and that they should consider evacuating. An emergency shelter was established at the Saunders Irving Chapel at Kingswood University and the Red Cross arranged emergency lodging for displaced individuals. The town’s website said that Trout Creek crested at 19.75 meters at about 2:40 a.m. on the morning of the 25th and was trending downward by 4:00 a.m. Many of the residents were able to return to their homes the next morning. Ninety-nine inspections were done in the area by a team consisting of fire, electrical, structural and environmental inspectors from Public Safety, Social Development and Environment and Local Government to ensure people could safely return to their homes. A washout on Creek Road in the Sussex area left a few permanent residences, cottages and hunting camps cut off from the town. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure was planning on building a temporary road for residents while the washout was fixed. In other areas, the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department responded to a flooded basement in the Kennebecasis Park area of Rothesay early on the afternoon of the 24th, and a section on Route 106 was closed between Memramcook and Dorchester on the 25th. The Village of Memramcook also warned of flooding on the Breau Creek Road and Beaumont Road. Water over the road closed Route 102 near Blissville, a section of Highway 1 near Saint John, and Route 121 from Lower Millstream to Berwick.

Environment Canada precipitation totals for January 20th: Sussex Four Corners: 75.4 mm Moncton: 51.6 mm Saint John: 37. 6mm Miramichi: 35.9 mm Woodstock: 29 mm Environment Canada precipitation totals for January 24th: Fredericton: 75 mm Miramichi: 59.8 mm Woodstock: 48.4 mm Sussex Four Corners: 40.8 mm Saint John: 25.2 mm Moncton: 12.8 mm

The province launched a Disaster Financial Assistance program on March 1st to help individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations and municipalities who suffered property damage following the rainfall event on the 23rd and 24th. The maximum assistance for structural repairs to private residences was $160,000 while the maximum for small businesses and not-for-profit groups was $500,000. It is estimated the weather event caused over $11 million in insured damages in the province.