NB 591
April 30, 2008
FREDERICTON (CNB) - River Watch 2008 and the Department of Public Safety's New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization are issuing a major flood warning to all areas along the St. John River, effective today, Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
Water levels continue to rise in the province, and the Department of Transportation is working with NB-EMO to ensure the safety of residents and will continue to close roads as required. Please consult http://www1.gnb.ca/cnb/transportation/flooding-e.asp for the most up-to-date road closures. Residents who need to evacuate should register with the Red Cross at 1-888-893-1300.
-In the Fredericton area, all city schools as well as Lincoln Elementary School in Oromocto will be closed on Thursday, May 1 due to flooding issues. These schools were already scheduled for a day off on Friday.
-There are 12 streets now closed in Fredericton, and it is anticipated that up to30 more streets could be impacted. The City of Fredericton Emergency Operations Centre continues to work on a 24/7 basis, and command posts have been set up on both sides of the river.
-For provincial government employees, if they cannot get to work due to flooding/road closures, or if they live in a flood zone, they should contact their supervisors directly and make alternate arrangements.
-The following buildings in downtown Fredericton will be closed until further notice: the Justice building, the College of Craft and Design, the York County Courthouse and Clark House (New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame). City Hall will also be closed Thursday and Friday.
-Route 105 from Jemseg all the way to Fredericton is now completely closed too all traffic.
-The Red Cross and the Department of Social Development continue to take registration information and provide support as needed. They will make preparations for additional facilities as required.
-The Oromocto command post at Burton continues to provide assistance to residents as needed. Currently, they have six boats patrolling and notifying residents of the increased flood level projections.
-The Department of National Defence is providing support to the command post at Burton (tents, heaters, tables, chairs, equipment.)
-NB Power has a crew on site in Burton, and in Fredericton on both sides of the river, with extra crews on standby. They can disconnect power for people on short notice.
-There are law enforcement personnel at all roadblocks, and this will continue 24/7 throughout the current situation.
-The Red Cross and the Department of Social Development advise the public that two private companies have accommodations available to take in pets displaced by evacuations: Solid Gold Kennels at 506-457-1530, and Lincoln Pet Hotel at 506-458-9759. Prices vary at each location.
08/04/30
MEDIA CONTACTS: Emergency Measures Organization, 506-453-2133, or toll-free, 1-800-561-4034; Cindy Abbott, Town of Oromocto, 506-357-4529; John White, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2227; Janice Babineau, communications advisor, Canadian Red Cross, 902-223-9271.
08/04/30