(Photo: Riverwatch news conference)
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are pitching in to help in areas threatened by flooding.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sean French says around 120 soldiers were out yesterday operating in four of five areas where they are being requested, “They started by filling up sandbags and helping with those efforts. It’s really a preparation mode.”
French adds they are also helping to secure items that could potentially float down the river. They’re also delivering water, and assisting with evacuations.
“We also have soldiers doing wellness checks, which are coordinated through the EMO officer,” French adds.
Water levels are continuing to rise on the St. John river.
Fredericton is expected to hit 8.1 metres today, then fall to eight metres Tuesday, and eventually reach seven metres by Friday — flood stage is 6.5 metres.
Jemseg, Maugerville, Sheffield, Lakeville Corner and Grand Lake have also exceeded flood stage and water levels are forecasted to keep rising during the week.
The Saint John area will reach 4.3 metres today, just passing its flood stage of 4.2.
Water levels are expected to reach 5.2 metres by Friday — they peaked at 5.73 metres during last year’s flood.
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