Canadian Red Cross Steps in to Help with Perth Andover Flood Risk

A team from the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Village of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, where a state of local emergency was declared Saturday evening and a mandatory evacuation was ordered for about 175 residents in low-lying areas due to ice jams and the risk of flash flooding. Other village residents were encouraged to voluntarily evacuate.

Most who complied with the evacuation order arranged to stay with family or friends in unaffected areas. Seven evacuees spent Saturday night sleeping in a shelter equipped and staffed by the Red Cross at Perth-Andover Middle School. Four others opted to sleep in their vehicles outside the shelter.  At least 15 others indicated they'd be staying at motels.

The evacuation was ordered due to significant ice jams along the St. John and Tobique Rivers just north of the village and concern by local  authorities that ice could move quickly downstream during the night, clogging the river at the Perth-Andover bridge that spans the St. John River and flooding low-lying residential and business areas nearby. Village officials said this morning (Sunday) that water levels had dropped a few centimetres overnight and no significant flooding occurred but the situation remained volatile. Affected residents were advised they could return to their homes during daylight hours today however the evacuation order remains in effect and they should be prepared to leave again on short notice and remain out of their homes again tonight if necessary.

Perth-Andover Mayor Terry Ritchie visited the shelter through the night and issued a statement early today (Sunday) thanking the Canadian Red Cross volunteers for, "As usual, showing up so immediately and making sure evacuees at least have a place to sleep and cooked meals to eat during these trying hours. I for one, but also on behalf of all our people, am very thankful for their prompt, efficient and caring attendance here at a time that is very painful and difficult for all of us."

The Red Cross team of nine includes three volunteers and one staff member at Perth-Andover Middle School, supported by six volunteers from Fredericton, about 200 kilometres away, who have been transporting cots, blankets, personal-care kits, food and other shelter supplies to the school.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.