The recent freeze and thaw is creating problems in New Brunswick, where high water levels and ice jams are resulting in flooding in some areas.
Ice jams along the Nashwaak River have become a common occurrence in late March and early April, when temperatures start to warm up. But it’s rare to see them in January.
“I know we’ve had small thaws and so on, but this one here seems to be taking its time and I don’t see any cold weather, real cold, to freeze it up again, as of yet,” says Millville, N.B. resident Andy Hoyt.
The January thaw is creating problems for MacLaggan Bridge resident Ashley Cole, whose basement started filling with river water Wednesday evening.
With an ice jam looming up the river, she doesn’t know if she’s seen the worst of the flooding yet.
“I honestly don’t know. I am assuming that there is probably going to be more ice until it lets go and moves down the river, I mean, I don’t know,” says Cole.
The mild weather and rain have created a number of problem spots along a number of Maritime waterways. On the Nashwaak River, another jam sits at Durham Bridge and another in Fredericton, close to where it meets St. John River.
All jams are considered dangerous and could result in water levels rising rapidly.
New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization is keeping a close eye on the situation.
“In recent years, there hasn’t been anything quite like this, but on the magnitude of the 2010, 2012 floods, we’re still below that level,” says Paul Bradley of the New Brunswick Department of Public Safety.
Meanwhile, Memramcook residents have been dealing with flooded roads. Highway 106 has been shut down for several days due to rising water levels.
The water started to retreat on Thursday, making the roadway passable for some motorists, but too risky for most.
“Right now it’s slow but there are times when it’s drifting in pretty quick and it will take a vehicle out,” says Dorchester Deputy Fire Chief Reg Tower.
The fire service says the blocked main artery between Memramcook and Dorchester is concerning and 14 homes have been isolated.
“All takes time at best, and when you add challenges like this, it puts people at risk and we have to make adjustments for that,” says Tower.
The road closure has not only been an inconvenience, but also an added expense for some.
“It adds a lot of travelling time and fuel,” says electrician Ryan Pringle. “We’re paying people to sit in the truck.”
For those who live in the area, some simple tasks have become an elaborate logistical operation.
“I have three children…the neighbour is bringing them home in a tractor, so it’s been an interesting week,” says Andrea Nelson.
Highway 106 is a designated provincial highway and maintaining it during a flood is a team effort shared by the Department of Transportation, the village of Memramcook, and CN Rail because of the rail line’s proximity.
Eric Mallet of Memramcook Public Works says flooding in the area is normal, but not in January.
“Usually happens closer to the springtime with the regular snow melt, but unfortunately, with the weather we’ve been having, it’s happened sooner than expected,” says Mallett.
Mallet says there is a drain under all the water, but draining takes time.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell and Sarah Plowman
