Much of Eastern Canada has been experiencing record high temperatures this week, prompting many to swap mitts and toques for flip flops and shorts. But this wacky weather has resulted in the quick melt of snow and ice, and not surprisingly some flooding.
In Quebec, the Ste-Anne River overflowed last night, forcing more than 400 people from their homes in St-Raymond-de-Portneuf. The Canadian Red Cross is providing emergency assistance and thankfully the water levels appear to be dropping.
In the past few hours, we've learned that an ice jam has also forced a mandatory evacuation in Perth-Andover. Red Cross staff and volunteers are on route with supplies to assist residents in that small municipality in New Brunswick.
This photo taken by Red Cross staff in Woodstock, NB shows a pretty dramatic ice jam forming on the Meduxnekeag River. This is typical in the spring but emergency officials in New Brunswick are monitoring water levels across the province, including along the St. John River, in Fredericton and in the northern part of the province. Yesterday, one family and two dogs had to be airlifted by a Cormorant helicopter when water left them stranded in their home near Bathurst.
It’s still early in the flooding season and other parts of the country have yet to experience the full melt so it’s a great time to check your own level of preparedness. We like this video from GetPrepared.ca designed to help you prepare your family’s emergency plan. As always, follow the advice of your local emergency officials whenever a disaster strikes.
Leave us a comment and let us know how the spring thaw has affected you so far and how you’re preparing.