Fredericton flooding displaces 58 people - and counting

At least 58 people in the Fredericton region have been displaced by flooding, but the actual number is probably higher and expected to increase in the coming days.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Public Safety says estimates on damage caused by the flooding will also likely climb though Geoffrey Downey said it'stoo soon to say whether disaster financial assistance will be offered to affected homeowners and businesses.

"This is an evolving situation."

Here is the latest update on the #NBFlood2018

6 years ago

Duration 1:03

It's among the worst floods New Brunswick has seen in recent memory.

Although river levels in the capital area have been stable around eight metres, heavy rainfall is threatening to push them to 8.3 metres, rivalling the major flood of 2008.

Some communities south of the city could also"reach and exceed flood stage," includingMaugerville, Sheffield andJemsegby the St. John River,as well asQuispamsison the KennebecasisRiver, said Downey.

"I mean, this isn't over."

In the Saint John region, the water levelhas reached 4.2 metres and is expected to rise to at least 4.6 metres by Wednesday, according to city officials.

• St. John River water levels could hit 8.3 metres, Fredericton EMO says
• Water levels continue to rise along the St. John River outside of Fredericton
• 'Scary' floods force Fredericton residents to flee their homes

The extent of the damage may not be clear until the water recedes, said Downey.

But people can report flood-related damage by calling Service New BrunswickTeleServicesat 1-888-298-8555from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdaysand 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the weekends,or by registering online on the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization's website.

The damage assessments will be reviewed, and health and safety inspection teams may be dispatched if required.

The threshold for the provincial government's disaster financial assistance program is $2.2 million.

As of Monday afternoon,58 people from 26 households hadregistered with the Red Cross for assistance.

"An exact number on evacuations is hard, if not impossible, because this is New Brunswick, a lot of people are used to this kind of thing," said Downey.

"They've had plans in place and they self-evacuated without notifying any emergency organization."

Not all of those evacuated homes are necessarily damaged, said Downey. People may haveleft for fear of being cut off by flood waters.

Others may have flooded basements, but have decided to remain in their homes.

De-energize

If the water is approaching their electrical baseboards or outlets, they should call NB Power at1-800-663-6272 to disconnect their electricity as soon as possible, urged Downey.

"Water and electricity is a dangerous combination, if not deadly," he said. "This is a job for professionals."

People should not use any flooded electrical outlets, switchboxes, fuse-breaker panels or appliances until they have been checked by NB Power or the Department of Public Safety's electrical inspectors.

Although the electrical equipment may work and appear safe, it could cause electrocution or a fire, officials warn.

If their power has been turned off, they will have to call in a local electrical inspector or licensed electrical contractor before NB Power will re-energize their home.

Similarly, heating systems whether electrical, gas or wood must be inspected by a qualified technician before being used.

Pump with care

People should also be cautious when pumping water out of their basements. Pumping it out too soon could cause structural damage or collapse the basement.

As a safety precaution, basement water levels should not be more than 30 centimetres (one foot) lower than the outside water level, officials advise.

Once all of the water is removed, people should ensure the building is structurally safe by checking for buckled walls or floors.

Solid wood or metal furniture can be cleaned with a household detergent, but upholsteredfurniture, mattresses and other contaminated belongings should be disposed of.

Water-soaked walls and insulation will need to be discarded and replaced to avoid mould and mildew, which can cause health problems.

Walls, solid floors and ceilings should be thoroughly scrubbed with detergent or soap and water while wearingprotective clothing and rubber gloves.

Opening windows and doors can help with the drying process.

Contact insurance provider

Residents, tenants, small businesses and not-for-profit organizationsshould contact their insurance companies to report property damagebefore discarding or destroying anything, and take photographs of the damage, said Downey.

They should keep receipts for any repairs or replacement purchases for any uninsurable losses, and log the number of hours they or others put into the cleanup, he said.

"Document everything."

If a disaster assistance program is approved and established, the department will make an official announcement, he said.

Patience urged

In the meantime, Downeyurged people to be patient, saying it's a difficult time fordisplaced residents and emergency responders alike.

We understand that this is an awful time but you know, we'll get through it. People are resilient, but we need to be patient.- Geoffrey Downey, Public Safety

"We're reaching thepoint now where people's patience is startingtofray a little. I think that'spart of the reason, for example, why people have beenignoring barricades," he said.

"They're frustrated, they want their lives back to normal, and everyone here wants everyone's lives back to normal as well."

Anyone who needs help coping with the stresscan call Tele-Care (811), the CHIMO helpline(1-800-667-5005), or the Kids Help Phone(1-800-668-6868).

They can also find tips for dealing with stress in an emergency on the Department of Health's website.