Flood stage reached in Fredericton, Gagetown, Hartland as St. John River breaches banks
Fredericton levels at 7.2 metres, flood stage is 6.5
According to real-time data from Environment and Climate Change Canada, water levels in Fredericton were 0.8 metres above the flood stage, as of 10 a.m. AT.
In Gagetown, levels are just 0.4 metres above.
Hartland also officially surpassed flood levels on Wednesday morning.
A section of Riverside Drive at Watters Drive in Fredericton was closed Wednesday because of water over the road. (CBC)
Flooding is imminent in Woodstock, Simonds, Jemseg and Maugerville, where the river is 0.5 metres or less below flood levels.
Quispamsis, Saint John, Lakeville corner, Durham Bridge and Perth Andover are now one metre below flood stage.
Five-day forecasts aren't available for Perth Andover, Simonds, Hartland and Woodstock because of the unpredictable nature of ice jams, according to River Watch.
The green in downtown Fredericton is the most flood-prone area in the city in the spring. (Mikael Mayer/Radio-Canada)
Water levels are at 7.3 in Fredericton.
Geoffrey Downey, spokesperson for the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, previously said the seven-metre mark in is when people start seeing water on the green by the river.
A section of Riverside Drive at Watters Drive on Fredericton's north side is closed because of water over the road and a detour is in place.
On Wednesday morning, the walking trails by the river bank were almost fully inundated, and water is creeping closer to St. Anne's Point Drive.
People in flood-prone communities should stay informed and keep an eye on the river, he said.
A part of a Fredericton walking trail on the river was already flooded Tuesday evening. (Submitted by Wayne Knorr)
New Brunswick's River Watch program sent out a warning Monday predicting flooding for the two areas on Wednesday, and Jemseg on Thursday.
As of Wednesday morning, Jemseg was at the flood-warning level but not quite officially flooding.
River Watch is an online platform that shows water levels in the St. John River — also known as the Wolastoq — and its tributaries.
'It's been an honour': Wayne Easter announces he won't reoffer in next federal election
Easter has been the Liberal MP for Malpeque since 1993
Sara Fraser · CBC News · Posted: Jun 14, 2021 4:59 PM ADT
I remember as a kid driving in an 18 wheeler somewhere in NB and there were logs floating across the road and feels like the water was up to the Headlights in places ... and I feel like there were some Farm Animals stranded on little islands ...
I always wondered why people live there if it Floods every year, but I think it may have been Beautiful around there, lots of Countryside ....
Walking Trails are flooded in Fredericton.....
2.58K subscribers
New Brunswick’s River Watch warns of potential flooding in Gagetown
Predicting flooding in New Brunswick is not an exact science and any one factor can tip the scale.
This week, River Watch is keeping an eye on warm temperatures and rain.
"The five-day forecast is looking pretty good,” said Geoffrey Downey, a spokesperson for NB Emergency Measures Organization. “The only community that's scheduled in the next five days to reach or surpass flood levels is Gagetown.”
Derek Pleadwell is the mayor of the municipality of Arcadia and lives in the village of Gagetown where his property is frequently washed out as the river rises.
"The discussion is we are at the whim of mother nature,” said Pleadwell, “and warming temperatures and any great degree of precipitation can really influence things.”
“There's a great deal of snow still left in the north, daytime temperatures are getting close to almost 20 degrees, it's still getting down to freezing or a little below at night so that helps,” he said. “There's a little bit of rain in the forecast, so if the temperature may be off, a little more rain comes in and lands in the wrong spot, there certainly is the potential for flooding."
NB Power said in a tweet Sunday morning, “Ice observers continue to monitor the thaw closely and [are] providing updates to our hydro teams.”
Whether the waters rise or not, Emergency Measures want people to be prepared.
"Anyone sort of below Mactaquac, it's coming,” said Downey. “It may not reach record levels. It may not even flood, but we're certainly encouraging everyone to have their 72-hour preparedness kit ready, to clean up around their yards and just to stay informed,” he said.
EMO says, right now, the most important thing is to stay away from the river as conditions can change quickly and become dangerous.
'It's been an honour': Wayne Easter announces he won't reoffer in next federal election
Easter has been the Liberal MP for Malpeque since 1993
Born in 1949, Easter will be 72 years old next week.
Easter told CBC News he'd been thinking about it for a long time. "There's other things to do in life, it's been nine terms, 28 years, and it's time for others to take over the reins," he said.
"When I first started in politics, there was no internet, and that's a long, long time. I feel it's the right thing for me to do."
To his constituents, Easter said: "It's been an honour to serve them. It's as simple as that. It's been an honour."
For more on this story, catch an interview with Wayne Easter Tuesday morning on Island Morning, 96.1FM
Broke news in House of Commons
Easter broke the news in the House of Commons on Monday. He said at that time: "I am announcing that I will not be reoffering as the candidate in the riding of Malpeque in the next federal election. I will be joining with others not running tomorrow evening for speeches and to give heartfelt thank yous."
The next federal election is scheduled for October 2023, but Easter pointed out there are rumours there may be one before then, and he wanted to give others ample time to consider representing the Liberals in Malpeque — one of four federal ridings on P.E.I.
"It is close to 28 years since I was first elected to this chamber, and when I'm there in person I'm always in awe of its traditions, its history and the opportunity it provides for members to have a say in the legislative mandate and governance of this country," Easter said.
"It's been my honour to work with and serve the residents of Malpeque for nine terms."
Premier King, Lawrence MacAulay respond
P.E.I. Premier Dennis King issued a statement early Monday evening.
"On behalf of the Government of Prince Edward Island, I want to thank Wayne Easter for his 28 years of public service as the Member of Parliament for Malpeque," he said.
"Wayne has been a friend and ally to our government since 2019 — always willing to work collaboratively for the best interest of all Islanders. I would like to wish Wayne, Helen, Kimberley, and Jamie and their grandchildren all the best in Wayne's retirement from public life."
Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay, a longtime colleague of Easter, Tweeted Monday: "Been a pleasure serving with you, my friend," he said. "Wishing you the very best!"
P.E.I. Premier Dennis King issued a statement early Monday evening.
"On behalf of the Government of Prince Edward Island, I want to thank Wayne Easter for his 28 years of public service as the Member of Parliament for Malpeque," he said.
"Wayne has been a friend and ally to our government since 2019 — always willing to work collaboratively for the best interest of all Islanders. I would like to wish Wayne, Helen, Kimberley, and Jamie and their grandchildren all the best in Wayne's retirement from public life."
I know its usually an afterthought.