Belleville mayor calls state of emergency to respond to flooding on Moira River

Levels on the Moira river are expected to increase by 15 to 20 centimetres over the next 48 hours, and are likely to cause additional flooding in flood plain areas. (Courtesy: Belleville.ca)

BELLEVILLE, Ont. -- A state of emergency is in effect in Belleville because of rising water levels.

Mayor Neil Ellis declared the state of emergency under Ontario's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act on Thursday afternoon.

Ellis says resources are needed to respond to flood conditions along the Moira River in the rural, northern part of the city.

A woman and her young daughter were rescued by Belleville firefighters using an inflatable raft on Thursday after they were trapped in their home.

The area was inundated by flooding in the spring of 2008, and officials predict the situation could be almost as severe this year.

Ellis says the state of emergency allows the city to recruit volunteers to help build sand bag barriers to help protect property.

Levels on the Moira river are expected to increase by 15 to 20 centimetres over the next 48 hours, and are likely to cause additional flooding in flood plain areas.

A flood warning was issued by Quinte Conservation earlier this week for the Moira, Salmon and Napanee Rivers, and Lower Trent Conservation proclaimed a flood warning for the Trent River from Trenton to Hastings on Thursday afternoon.