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Features
2021/3/18
Flood Preparednes
Updated 2021/3/18
Flood Preparedness
brought to you in part by
NEW BRUNSWICK - SCORE C Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
New Brunswick
WT - Covid 19 Impact -Public health orders in 2020 prioritized pandemic response over flood response.At-risk property owners were advised to make evacuation plans, as physical distancing requirements would not be waived for sandbagging crews. Assuming that Covid-19 measures and physical distancing specifically remain in force, has your government considered alternative measures to deal with emergency flooding?
From New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO)’s perspective, managing an emergency is about understanding what resources -- equipment and human -- are required and available to address a problem. COVID-19 could have an impact on emergency response, but that’s why government departments are required to have business continuity plans.
Business continuity plans ensure departments can continue to meet people’s needs in the case of things such as a workplace absenteeism. The provision of emergency services requires that all responsible agencies plan to manage delivery of critical functions despite constraints. NBEMO will closely monitor these capabilities, prioritize the sharing of resources to address gaps, and coordinate the collective efforts of government and where appropriate, community-based organizations, to enable a whole of society response.
NBEMO and its River Watch partners will adapt to whatever changes are required to meet health and safety requirements such as social distancing or working remotely. For example, the Department of Environment and Local Government has upgraded equipment and software to enable flood forecasters to work from home.
WT - Climate change and its related extreme weather events significantly increase the threat of flooding. While NB's flooding is mostly fluvial around the St John River, there is increased flooding along the coasts due to storm surges. What specific measures has your government put in place to deal with the increased risks?
New Brunswick has an annual program called River Watch. It’s a collaboration between the Department of Environment and Local Government and the Department of Justice and Public Safety’s New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization. Other partners include NB Power, watershed groups, federal and provincial governments as well as agencies in the United States involved in monitoring and forecasting the water flow in the province's rivers and streams.
The Departments of Justice and Public Safety and the Department of Environment and Local Government share responsibility for keeping the public informed about the potential impacts of the spring freshet. Our top priority is giving people the information they need to be safe.
Following the historic 2018 flood event in the lower Saint John River basin, a 2018 flood map was developed to reflect the flood extent and the 2008 historic flood map was replaced with an updated, more accurate version. These maps are available online at GeoNB. The Department of Environment and Local Government continues to develop flood hazard mapping that incorporates the effects of climate change and sea-level rise as part of the Climate Change Action Plan.
The province also increased the number of Regional Emergency Management Co-ordinators to twelve, bolstering NBEMO‘s capacity to work with communities and citizens on flood preparation. This, in turn, has improved awareness and preparedness across the province.
It is hard to predict where and when flooding will happen, New Brunswickers are always advised to know the risks, make a plan and get a kit. Those who live or work near waterways should always take extra care and have an emergency plan in place.
During the River Watch season, New Brunswickers are reminded to:
be prepared for possible flooding and have a plan to evacuate and be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours;
move belongings to higher ground if their property is near a waterway or is in an area that is prone to flooding;
avoid the banks of waterways as they become dangerous this time of year. The water is cold and currents are swift and could be carrying debris;
report ice jams or rising water. If you need advice, contact the Emergency Measures Organization at 1-800-561-4034;
not enter the basement if water is rising in it. If the water height is above the level of electrical equipment or wiring devices like receptacles, baseboard heaters,
furnaces, call NB Power at 1-800-663-6272 for an emergency disconnect.
stay informed, read helpful tips, monitor the latest forecasts and public advisories by visiting the River Watch website, or by following the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization on Twitter and Facebook.
WT - New Brunswick’s most recent Flood Risk Reduction Strategy dates back to 2014. Its objective included: Accurate Flood Hazard Identification, Planning for Communities and Infrastructure, Informed Mitigation of Existing Flood Risk. The Flood Risk Reduction Strategy document states that many of New Brunswick’s flood hazard maps are decades old, and as a result are based on outdated stream flow and precipitation records and do not incorporate the latest available climatic and sea level rise predictions. Have these maps been updated?
The Department of Environment and Local Government continues to develop flood hazard mapping that incorporates the effects of climate change and sea-level rise as part of the Climate Change Action Plan.
WT- According to your website, the New Brunswick Disaster Financial Assistance program provides assistance for eligible damage and losses that threaten the health and safety of individuals, municipalities and small businesses. The Flood Risk Reduction Strategy states that total claims under the program resulting from the 2008 spring and summer flooding along the St. John River amounted to $28 million. Do you have the numbers for total claims in recent years?
Homeowner mitigation projects and government buyouts played a big part in lessening the financial impact from 2018 to 2019, despite similar flood levels.
2018 - Total private sector claims were 1,215 at a claimed amount of $34.95 million.
Buyouts in 2018 – 79 homeowners for $5.75 million.
2019 - Total private sector claims were 484 at a claimed amount of $ 8.07 million.
Buyouts in 2019 – 13 homeowners for $1.56 million.
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