Authorities in parts of New Brunswick are urging residents to keep a close eye on rivers, where the potential for ice jams is prompting fears of more flooding.

Days after heavy rain and ice jams caused bodies of water to overflow, flood waters have begun to recede. Many residents still could not access their homes Friday afternoon.

But as cleanup efforts get underway, officials are warning that ice jams on several rivers could cause localized flooding at any time.

  • In the southwestern community of St. George, river water levels are expected to continue to rise into the weekend
  • In Perth-Andover, a voluntary evacuation remained in effect Friday
  • Woodstock, N.B., is currently under a boil-water advisory, which is expected to continue for a week
  • In Sussex, New Brunswick premier David Alward said crews will move swiftly to inspect homes and assess damage
  • The Department of Public Safety said water levels are expected to rise in the coming days in communities near Fredericton, including Jemseg and Maugeville
  • Officials are closely monitoring ice jams in Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska and Doaktown

Perth-Andover spokesperson Justine Waldeck told The Canadian Press that authorities are worried about the ice breakup along the St. John River and at the Grand Falls’ dam.

“In the coming days, the ice above Grand Falls will eventually give way and we will see that ice come through the dam and then come into our community,” Waldeck said.

Parts of Eastern Ontario and Quebec have also been struggling with floods in recent days.

In Belleville, Ont., where a state of emergency was declared last week, officials toured flooded regions, walking along submerged roads in Foxboro on Friday.

Terry Murphy, general manager for Quinte Conservation, has said the cleanup will be difficult as roads have become saturated or have washed away completely. After the swollen Moira River peaked overnight, Belleville officials said it could remain at severe levels for another week. Flooding in that region has also displaced dozens of residents and forced several road closures.

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis said the situation has been “devastating” for many homes, some of which are currently surrounded by more than a metre of water.

“Last night the river started to go down, and I’m hoping we’re out of the worst of it,” Ellis said on CTV’s News Channel Friday.

 

In Sherbrooke, Que., more than 600 residents were forced to leave their homes earlier this week due to flooding dangers, but another 200 were allowed to return Thursday. Water levels on the Saint-Francois River were also receding after swelling to more than four times its normal level.

Earlier this week, Quebec officials activated emergency preparedness plan after water levels in several rivers across the province reached dangerous levels.

With files from The Canadian Press