Flood Details - 1980-03-17 - 1980-03-18

The provincial Emergency Measures Organization received reports of flooding from Woodstock, Boiestown, Pennfield, Burton, McAdam, Saint John and Fairvale. Southwestern New Brunswick: At McAdam, some 50 homes were affected by the heavy runoff and basement flooding occurred. An emergency centre had been established for the residents who were evacuated from their homes. Saint John Area: At Grand Bay, a 15 year old youth was drowned in a rain-swollen stream near his home. In Saint John, many low lying streets were under water including a portion of Rothesay Avenue, was reported to be under a metre of water, and some residents had decided to leave their homes. Several businesses were also affected by the floodwaters. Many homes, in low-lying area of Quispamsis, Renforth and Rothesay, reported flooded basements. In Fairvale, a "state of emergency" was declared because of road damage. The intersection of Clark Road and the Gondola Point Road was submerged to a depth of one metre. Portions of Marr Road were also awash. Some basement apartment dwellers decided to leave their accommodations. Kennebecasis River Basin: In Sussex, flooding of Parson's Brook caused problems for residents on the south side of Main Street.

Saint John Area: The problems in the Saint John area were compounded by high winds, frozen ground and unusually high tides of more than nine metres in the Bay of Fundy. Saint John broke a 78 year old record for rainfall on March 18 with 76.4 millimetres of rain recorded. The previous record was set in 1902 with 58.9 mm falling.

No estimates of the flood damage were presented in the newspaper accounts. One life was lost due to drowning.