Storm floods homes, closes roads, knocks out power across N.B.

Many New Brunswick communities were dealing with flood damage, road closures and power outages Friday after heavy rains and high winds pounded the province overnight.

Almost 4,000 NB Power customers were without power late in the morning, but the number had dropped to about 50by 5 p.m.

Most of the remaining outages are in the Kennebecasis Valley andFundyregions. Some of the homes and businesses are expected to be back online by 6:30 p.m., but estimated restoration times are not yet available for all affected customers.

NB Power had more than 30 crews working aroundthe province to restore power.

The heavy rain caused flooding in many areas of southern New Brunswick, leading to road closures and travel warnings.

In Saint John, flooding closed Rothesay Avenue from Rothesay Road to the One Mile House interchange, as well as some roads in theGlen Falls, WestmorlandRoad, and McAllister Drive area.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid any areas covered with water.

Saint John Police is reminding motorists that driving around barricades can result in a $172.50 fine.

In Fredericton, an apartment building on the city'ssouth sidewas evacuated because of flooding.

The Red Cross has arranged emergency lodging, meals and other basics for two women forced from their basement apartments in different parts of the city because of flash flooding on Biggs Street and Fisher Avenue.

In Moncton, strong winds lifted part of the roof from a 12-unit apartment building on Cedar Street. Red Cross volunteers are assisting eight tenants displaced from the four upper units.

On the highways, the Transportation Department is reporting conditions haveimproved across the southern half of the province.

The no-travel advisory has finally been lifted on the Trans-Canada between the Grand Lake area andMoncton.

Most highways are bare wet, with some icy and slushy patches.

But water over the road has closed Route 102near Blissville, a section of Highway 1 near Saint John, andRoute 121, from Lower Millstream to Berwick. There is a break in the road to Route 935 on Highway 10.

In the north, parts of Route 2 and Route 11 are snow-covered or snow-packed, with ice and slush.

Emergency Measures Organization spokesperson Geoffrey Downey expected that any localized flooding would either go down on Friday or not get any worse.

He said dropping temperatures mean ice melt will be minimal, but people should stay informed and check for road closures.

He also reminded drivers to slow down on wet roads.

"There's lots of water on the roads in some spots, and driving too fast can only lead to disaster."

As temperatures drop throughout the day, slick roads may become icy.

School closures

In the Anglophone South School District, schools were closed Friday inApohaqui, Norton, and Sussex Corner.
Elsewhere in the district, all buses are running on a one-hour delay.

Schools were also closed across the Anglophone North and Francophone Northeast school districts.

In Anglophone West, schools were closed in zones 5 through 9. That includes the Stanley, Boiestown, Doaktown area, the Greater Fredericton area, including New Maryland, Keswick Ridge and Nashwaak Valley,Lincoln, Oromocto, Burton, Geary and Fredericton Junction,Chipman andMinto andGagetown and Cambridge Narrows.

In Francophone South, schools were closed inBaie-Ste-Anne, Fredericton, Miramichi, Oromocto, Richibucto, Rogersville, andSt-Louis-de-Kent.