Water levels in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick drop more than a metre overnight

Photo: Facebook Page of Perth Andover River Community watch

PERTH-ANDOVER, N.B. – They’re not out of the woods yet, but residents of the flood-threatened community of Perth-Andover in northwestern New Brunswick can breathe a bit easier.

Village spokeswoman Justine Waldeck said Saturday morning that water levels dropped more than a metre overnight.

Waldeck says a huge ice jam on the St. John River above the dam at Grand Falls has yet to break up and so remains a serious concern.

She adds, however, that when the breakup does happen, the drop in water levels might help lessen the impact.

Predicting exactly when the monster ice jam will breakup remains tricky.

Waldeck noted that provincial officials and NB Power had predicted it would happen Friday night — but it didn’t. And until it does, she says a voluntary evacuation order affecting 49 area residences will remain in effect.

The village experienced severe flooding in March 2012, and Waldeck says mindful residents have been very co-operative since the voluntary evacuation order was issued on Wednesday.

Oromocto fire Chief Jody Price urged curious New Brunswickers to stay away from rising, fast-moving waters after two women accidentally drove their car into the St. John River on Thursday.

Price said one of the women placed a frantic phone call to a 911 dispatcher from the sinking car.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the two women were swimming to shore, about 15 metres from where they had abandoned the car. They were taken to hospital for treatment of hypothermia.

Premier David Alward spent Thursday touring areas of the province that were submerged earlier this week when heavy rain and ice jams caused rivers and streams to spill their banks.

A number of areas throughout Eastern Canada, including Ontario and Quebec, have been contending with floods in recent days.