Deputy fire Chief Joe Armstrong speaks with reporters during a Saint John EMO briefing on April 26, 2019. (Brad Perry/Wave News)
Saint John EMO is warning residents living along the water not to let their guard down just yet.
Floodwaters peaked in the area on Friday and are forecast to gradually fall over the coming days.
But Joe Armstrong, deputy fire chief with the Saint John Fire Department, said winds are forecast to reach 60 kilometres per hour on Saturday.
“The winds may cause some problems with the sandbag walls that are built up, we’re very concerned about that,” said Armstrong.
“I’d ask people not to sit back and think that the worst is over because we’re at the peak levels.”
Several roads remain closed in #SaintJohn due to flooding, including Westfield Road at Gault Road. pic.twitter.com/HBizSARI7w
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) April 26, 2019
During last year’s flood, a high wind event caused significant damage to many homes and cottages along the river.
A voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect for about 600 residents in Saint John.
Armstrong urged people not to evacuate on their own, but to call city police so they can coordinate it.
Anyone who does evacuate should register with the Canadian Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582 or by visiting their reception centre at the Carleton Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Police, fire and the Canadian Armed Forces are working together to conduct wellness checks in flood-impacted areas of the city.
Armstrong said they did over 200 wellness checks on Thursday and Friday alone.
“Our goal is to do the wellness checks at least on a 48-hour basis,” he said. “We’ve actually been exceeding that goal and we’ve been doing the wellness checks on a 24-hour basis.”
Members of @saintjohnpolice are using ATVs to help patrol areas of the city isolated by floodwaters. pic.twitter.com/buPhYQZIV0
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) April 26, 2019
Saint John police are reminding people to respect barricades in flooded areas of the city.
Dozens of roads in and around Saint John remain closed due to flooding.
Staff Sgt. Jim Fleming said they issued four violations under the Motor Vehicle Act on Thursday and Friday.
Just before the Saint John EMO briefing on Friday, a cyclist tried to cross a flooded section of Westfield Road, but turned around after realizing he could not make it.
“Last year on this very site, late at night, a drunk individual tried to get through on a bicycle and had to be rescued,” Fleming said.
“Common sense has to prevail. It’s not only your own safety, it’s everybody else’s involved.”
The city has also shut down several parks until the floodwaters have gone down and the equipment can be inspected.
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