poet's p(a)lace: Flood 2008

The worst flooding has overtaken the St.John River Valley with near record breaking fury. The river crested at 8.33 metres, second highest in recorded history. Widespread flooding all along this great river.

The highest record was 8.63 metres set in 1973. it is devastating to the area. main street riverside drive union street

fredericton north.

we live away from the river at a higher elevation, so there is no risk of flooding at our home. i feel so badly for everyone who has been affected by this terrible situation. not just in fredericton, but all along the st.john river.

fort kent, in northern maine, has also been affected severely by the wrath of the st.john.

FACT SHEET: Aroostook County and State Flooding UPDATED

May 1, 2008
3:15 PM

Date: May 1, 2008, 3:00 pm

Historic high flooding on the St. John River in Aroostook County continues, although rivers continue to recede
Major focus is Aroostook River at Masardis, Van Buren and Washburn; Penobscot River at West Enfield and Eddington; Squaw Pan Dam; and Saco River in Cornish
Dams in Washburn (Aroostook County) continue to be monitored

Shelter:

U-Maine Fort Kent, 43 Pleasant Street, Fort Kent

Transportation

From MaineDOT:

Damage from heavy flooding has forced the closure of Route 11 from Patten to Knowles Corner in Moro Plantation. Flooding from the West Branch of the Pasadumkeag River damaged the bridge supports of Tucker Bridge, dropping the bridge seven inches. MaineDOT crews will construct a temporary bridge until permanent repairs can be made. MaineDOT crews are currently replacing culverts and repairing washouts on that section of Route 11 and will start construction of the bridge soon. If repairs go as planned, that section of Route 11 will reopen next weekend.
Currently, there are four bridges that are closed due to flood damage. They are the International Bridge in Fort Kent, Fish Bridge in Fort Kent, International Bridge in Van Buren and Tucker Bridge in Moro Plantation. These bridges will remain closed until they are inspected by MaineDOT engineers. Engineers need to wait for the waters to recede before they can inspect underwater bridge support systems, as well as the understories of these bridges.
MaineDOT reports 45 roads across the state affected or closed
A section of Route 1 between Fort Kent and Madawaska is CLOSED, detour map attached.

River Watch 2008

River Watch 2008 / 9 p.m. / Flood warning extended (08/05/01)

NB 603

May 1, 2008

FREDERICTON (CNB) - River Watch 2008 and the Department of Public Safety's New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization are continuing the major flood warning to all areas along the St. John River, effective today, Thursday, May 1, 2008.

Persons living or working along all streams, tributaries and rivers in the St. John River valley are asked to remain on alert, as we remain above or near flood stage in many areas. In the middle and northern basin from Saint Francois-de-Madawaska to Woodstock, water levels should stabilize overnight.

Major increases to water flows and levels have been seen in northern and middle parts of the basin from Saint Francois-de-Madawaska to Woodstock, with significant flooding being reported in Madawaska County.

As of 7 p.m. the water levels in the middle and upper basin were:

The water level at Edmundston was 142.73, flood stage elevation is not available.

The water level at Perth Andover was 78.14, flood stage is 77.2.

The water level at Simonds was 49.64, flood stage 48.5.

The water level at Hartland was 47.88, flood stage is 45.7.

The water level at Woodstock was 41.71, flood stage 41.4.

Currently, water flows and levels are beginning to level off in Fredericton; however, they will continue to increase downstream. This trend will continue for the next several days. Water levels are not expected to reach the 1973 level.

As of 7:30 p.m. water levels were as follows:

In Fredericton, the water level was 8.25 metres and is expected to decrease slightly to 8.2 metres by Friday morning and decrease on Saturday to 7.7 . Flood stage is 6.5.

In Maugerville, the water level is at 6.73 metres and is expected to increase to around 6.8 metres on Friday and decrease on Saturday to 6.6. Flood stage is 6.0.

In Jemseg, the water level is at 5.64 metres and is expected increase to 5.9 metres on Friday and increase again on Saturday to 6.2. Flood stage is 4.3.

In Grand Lake, the water level is at 5.71 metres and is expected increase to 6.0 metres on Friday and to increase on Saturday to 6.2. Flood stage is 5.0.

In Sheffield-Lakeville Corner, the water level is at 6.13 metres and is expected to increase to 6.2 metres on Friday and increase on Saturday at 6.3. Flood stage is 4.8.

In Oak Point, the water level is at 4.67 metres and is expected to increase to 4.9 metres on Friday and increase on Saturday to 5.2. Flood stage is 4.7.

In Quispamsis-Saint John, the water level is at 4.41 metres and is expected to increase to 4.7 metres on Friday and to 4.9 metres on Saturday. Flood stage is 4.2.

The next report will be issued on Friday May 2, 2008.

A complete list of weather warnings is available from Environment Canada at: http://meteo.gc.ca/warnings/nb_e.html.

A variety of self-help advice is also available on the NB-EMO Public Alerts site at: http://www.gnb.ca/RiverWatch.

A list of traffic advisories can be found on the Department of Transportation website at: http://www1.gnb.ca/cnb/transportation/index-e.asp.

08/05/01

MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Morton, River Watch 2008, 506-453-2133 or 1-800-561-4034.

08/05/01