Darlings Island residents seek permanent fix to flood concerns

People on Darlings Island are keeping a close eye on the Kennebecasis River levels with today's rain expected topush someareas in southern New Brunswickinto the flood stage.

The St. John River reached flood stage in Fredericton overnight Wednesday andin Jemseg by late Thursday morning.

Maugervilleand Sheffield-Lakeville Corner areexpected to soon follow, withEmergency Measures Organization officials advising water levels are forecast to keep rising over the next 48 hours.

The KennebecasisRiver is currently forecastto remain in the advisory stage.

But on Darlings Island, road closure signs are standingbyon the only road in and out of the area.If it floods,residents haveto arrange their own way off the island, at their own cost.

The provincial governmentannounced in March it would no longer provide shuttle services if the road floods.

I just think with the government knowing that this happens that there would be a little bit better planning to take care of the people living on the island.- Wayne Mckellar, resident

"I just think with the government knowing that this happens that there would be a little bit better planning to take care of the people living on the island,"said residentWayneMckellar.

"You know, instead of leaving it up to them to get on or off the island."

Fellow residentGerald Beaman agrees.

"To be honest, I think the province should fix the road so we don't have the flooding, is what the real solution is. Not to Band-Aidit every time there's water level problems."

But any kind of long-term solution won't be in place this spring.

Meanwhile,Zelda McKenzie, who owns Zelda's River Adventures, providing boat tours out of Hampton, has been in talks with islanderstobe theirlink, if necessary.

Now, it's a race to get herpontoon boat prepared, said McKenzie.

"There's always spring maintenance with the boat and we needed to do a little bit on the motor, so those bits are in getting looked after now," she said.

"And my husband being the maintenance guy will ensure that I'm ready to rock and roll when need be."