Premier Says No State Of Emergency Declared Yet

After a weekend of rain and high temperatures, water levels continue to rise in the Saint John river this week.

Fredericton will surpass the 6.5 metre flood stage again, climbing to 8 metres today and tomorrow. They’ll fall to 7.4 metres on Wednesday.

In Jemseg, Maugerville, Sheffield and Grand Lake today, flood levels will be exceeded, and are forecasted to rise during the week.

The Saint John area will reach 4.3 metres today, just passing its flood stage of 4.2. It will rise to 4.5 on Tuesday, and 4.8 on Wednesday.

By Friday, it will reach 5.2 metres, the city’s official emergency level, meaning free sandbags.

Premier Blaine Higgs is also keeping a close eye on the rising waters.

He says he has been asked if there is a need at this point to declared a state of emergency, “I’ve had and will continue to have these conversations everyday with public safety officials. At this time, there is no need for one, but we will not hesitate to declare a state of emergency if public safety demands it.”

Higgs says he is working closely with the Emergency Measures Organization and the military and he believes at this point, they have enough resources available.

The federal government responded quickly to requests, with members of the Canadian Armed Forces now assisting those already affected by flooding, and those who are watching the waters closely, “They’ve already undertaken a reconnaissance mission and planning activities and they have already begun in numerous areas that are being impacted most quickly to fill sand bags and work with residences.”

Higgs says their experiences from last year are helping in how things are being handled, “This year we have had the great advantage of experience and lessons learned from last year. It has certainly added a greater sense of calm. However, I must stress that this is still a very difficult and hazardous situation and we are not out of the woods. In fact, we are just entering.”