Flood Details - 1976-03-31 - 1976-04-05

Widespread flooding was reported along the Saint John River and its tributaries from just south of Woodstock north to Madawaska County, and in the Restigouche River Basin. The New Brunswick Electric Power Commission reported widespread damage to poles and transformer installations along many of the Province's rivers. In the Grafton area, a 12 000 volt line crossing the river was lost and their Branch Office suffered ice and water damage. In the northern part of the Province, one of two high voltage lines interconnecting with Hydro Quebec was severely damaged by ice on April 4, and another was in danger from shifting ice in the Restigouche River. Saint John River Basin:On April 3, an ice jam on the Aroostook River backed water up onto the streets of downtown Fort Fairfield, Maine, for about an hour. The ice jam broke and the water receded quickly. Flooding was also reported at Washburn, Maine. On April 5, evacuees began returning to their residences in Perth-Andover while ice jams still existed upstream. An ice jam at Ste. Anne-de-Madawaska caused flooding of the village and the Trans Canada Highway. A 17-year old youth was reported drowned when the car he was driving went into a flooded ditch. The bridge crossing the Quisibis River was submerged under two feet [0.6 m] of water, and, on April 4, two families and 30 head of cattle were evacuated from the area. Roads were reported to be flooded in the Rivière Verte area. C.P.R. rail, freight and passenger services were interrupted at several locations. The 105-mile [169 km] railline linking McAdam and Aroostook was closed because of a washout at Wytopitlock, 44 miles [approx. 71 km] west of McAdam. At Woodstock, the railway bridge at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River was destroyed by high water and ice. Near Bath, a freight train was derailed as a result of a washout, killing the brakeman. Rail lines were also inundated at other locations and some structures were threatened. At Bull's Creek south of Woodstock, the junction of the River Road and the Trans Canada Highway was inundated. A nearby home and business were said to be inundated, destroying thousand of dollars worth of antiques, 12 snowmobiles, a truck and accessories. At Woodstock, the high water and ice were reported to have taken their toll. Along Water Street, utility poles were smashed, leaving the power and phone lines in a tangled state, houses and businesses were inundated and damaged by ice. Heavy losses to goods and furnaces were reported. Basement flooding was reported at Feere's, Newnham and Slipp's pharmacies, the Regional Library office on King Street, the Coffee Shop, Monteith Motors and the provincial government offices in the Feldman Building. At Centennial Park, the boathouse and light poles were destroyed, and the pool and its buildings were inundated. The Centennial Fountain was swept away along with playground equipment. The old General Daries body shop was surrounded by water, the Frozen Food Lockers and Stewart¿s warehouse were heavily damaged by water and ice. The Curling Club was inundated and/or damaged by water and ice. A 10-inch water main on the underside of the highway bridge was destroyed by ice. The army and local residents supplied water to those who were without. An ice jam at the Grafton Bridge, just north of Woodstock, caused a seven foot difference in river level between there and one mile downstream. Several houses in the Grafton area were surrounded by water, and ice was reported over a portion of Route 105. A mud slide was reported to have partially blocked Highway #105 near Northampton. At Pembroke, a quarter mile section of railway was inundated and rail cars were set on the bridge for weight. At Hartland, a state of emergency was declared as high water and ice damaged the pumping station and polluted the drinking water. The problems began with an ice jam occurring on March 31, about a mile downstream of the town, and extending upstream of the Hugh John Flemming Bridge. The ice jam broke on April 1 leaving extensive water and ice damage. Approximately 20 properties received flood damages, which included businesses and residences along Main Street. About 12 persons were evacuated to a nearby motel. As a result of the water supply problems, the schools were forced to close. The Simmonds Road between Florenceville and Hartland was covered with water and ice for a while during the night of March 31. The Hartland Clothing and Hartland Furniture stores reported extensive damage to stock in the basements, and the United Baptist Church was inundated. The town engineer was reported as having evacuated his home and his garage was said to have been overturned by ice and water. Ice also piled up under the rail and highway bridges crossing the Becaguimec River. Highway #105 from Bath to Perth-Andover was inundated and traffic was re-routed through Maine. Route 125, from Perth to Tobique; Route 106, from the Trans Canada Highway to Andover; and the road connecting Route 125 and New Denmark were all reported to be impassable. In Perth-Andover, several streets were inundated and "massive" ponds were formed behind residential areas as a result of a four-mile [6.4 km] long ice jam on the Saint John River. A "state of emergency" was declared when it became necessary to evacuate the Hôtel Dieu Hospital. Approximately 200 homes experienced basement flooding to some extent, and 20 homes were completely cut off by floodwaters. Approximately 400 people were evacuated. Many of the town's businesses were reported to have flooded basements and several vehicles were inundated. A ten-unit low rental senior citizen's complex was heavily damaged and surrounded by water. The Junior High School was reported to have the ground floor inundated (the depth of water was reported to be at least knee deep). Some concern was expressed over the rail bridge and the C.P.R. had moved 17 gondola cars, loaded with wood chips, on to the bridge to add weight for ballast. In the Nashwaak River Basin, ice jams were reported near Nashwaak Bridge and Marysville on April 3. The one at Marysville was reported as not having posed any problems. However, near Nashwaak Bridge, water and ice blocked a section of Route 107. The road shoulder was reported to be washed out. Armstrong Road near Stanley was inundated and an unconfirmed report stated that "the bridge between Highway #8 and Stanley was washed out". Restigouche River Basin: The ice ran out of the Upsalquitch, Restigouche and Matapedia rivers and ice jams formed, forcing water to back up and overflow the banks. The ice jam at Routhierville, Quebec, resulted in seven feet [2.1 m] of water over the highway at one point in time on April 1. Ice jams also built up above and below Matapedia at Mann's Settlement, and below the new interprovincial bridge at Matapedia. Extensive flooding resulted in Matapedia and Flatlands. In Matapedia, Québec, the hotel, service station and Poirier's Store were closed due to the flood conditions. Schools were closed becausse of the flooded highways and difficulties in bussing students. A section of road from Poirier¿s Store to the bridge across the Matapedia River was completely under water. At least one home was severely damaged by moving ice. Several others were abandoned because of the impending dangers and flooded basements. Between Matapedia and Cross Point, the C.N.R. Gaspé line was covered with up to 10 feet [3.0 m] of water in places, halting rail traffic. The new Gaspé Highway was also covered in places between these communities, and traffic was re-routed via the old highway.

Saint John River Basin: At Woodstock, the flood levels were reported to have reached 142.6 feet [43.46 m] and this was said to be higher than that of 1923. In Hartland, the floodwaters were reported to have peaked late on April 1. Local residents were reported as saying "that the situation was much worse than in 1967 when a similar ice jam had developed". The river levels were reported to have raised 10 feet to 12 feet [approx. 3.0 m to 3.7 m] in a matter of a few hours as the ice jammed at Sproule Island. At Perth-Andover, the river was reported to reach levels higher than ever recorded. The water was said to be three feet [0.9 m] higher that the 1974 spring flood. The ice was estimated to have piled up to over 20 feet [6.1 m] before letting go under the pressure. Restigouche River Basin: In Matapedia, Québec, the flooding was said "to be extensive although not nearly as bad as in 1974".

Saint John River Basin: The estimated flood damages on the Saint John River, from just south of Woodstock to Green River, was expected to total more than $4 million. In Woodstock, about "a dozen homes and businesses had actual flood damages". The C.P.R. bridge was destroyed on April 2 and reconstruction was estimated to cost $700 000. The new structure was built four feet [1.2 m] higher than the old one, and five of the seven washed out spans from the old bridge were reused. In Hartland, a new well for the water supply was begun in February 1977, to prevent a recurrence of the contamination due to flooding. The total claim for flood damages was $28 000, which included $25 000 for the ice damage to the town's pumphouse. The town end of the covered bridge was reported to have dropped 12 inches [0.3 m]. There were no damage estimates published in the newspapers for Perth-Andover. The senior citizens complex, which was heavily damaged, was opened in the fall of 1975. Two lives were lost as a result of the flooding. A report prepared by the Department of Public Works (Canada) contained the following estimates of damage to the Public Sector: SUMMARY OF RESTORATION COSTS Department Cost of Restoration Transportation $ 262 070 Municipal Affairs $ 130 380 Health (Hospital Services) $ 58 950 Supply & Services $ 22 480 Education $ 12 920 TOTAL $ 486 800 SUMMARY OF RESTORATION COSTS TO HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES Area Restoration Costs District 7 - Carleton County $ 29 585 District 10 - Madawaska County $ 17 035 District 11 - Victoria County $ 215 450 TOTAL $ 262 070 SUMMARY OF RESTORATION COSTS TO MUNICIPAL PROPERTY Restoration Costs Restoration Costs Village de Rivière-Verte $ 4 015 Village de Ste. Anne-de-Madawaska $ 7 795 Perth-Andover $ 13 270 Hartland $ 10 130 Woodstock $ 95 170 TOTAL $130 380 SUMMARY OF RESTORATION COSTS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES (Dept. of Health) Location Restoration Costs St. Joseph's Hospital (Hôtel Dieu) $ 58 950 Perth-Andover TOTAL $ 58 950 SUMMARY OF RESTORATION COSTS TO DEPT. OF SUPPLY & SERVICES Location Restoration Costs Perth-Andover $ 6 250 Woodstock $ 16 230 TOTAL $ 22 480 SUMMARY OF RESTORATIONCOSTS TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS) Name and Location Restoration Costs Perth Junior High School, Perth $ 12 410 South Victoria High School, Andover $ 510 TOTAL $ 12 920 Restigouche River Basin: In the Restigouche River Basin, the flood damage on the C.N.R. Gaspé line was expected to be "extensive" due to washouts between Matapedia and Cross Point, Quebec.