Washout warning issued due to storm
Heavy rain could lead to creeks, rivers overflowing, federal weather services advises
Most of New Brunswick - including the capital region - is subject to a weather alert, as the federal weather service warns heavy rain and powerful winds will pummel the province for a couple of days.
Furthermore, the significant rainfall amounts could see road erosion and overflowing of waterways in most affected areas, it advised Monday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement over the weekend, advising rain and strong winds are expected in the province beginning Sunday night.
It called for rain and strong winds in western, central, and southern New Brunswick.
“A large area of rain will spread across the province Sunday night and Monday morning,” the statement said, noting it will continue into Tuesday.
“Rainfall rates will likely peak Monday evening.”
The weather service predicts rainfall amounting to 50 to 80 millimetres in southwestern New Brunswick, with southerly winds hitting up to 80 kilometres per hour, with higher gusts in the Fundy region.
In updated weather warnings early Monday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada also advised of the effects the significant precipitation could have on roads and waterways.
“Similar storms in the past have caused localized flooding, especially in poor drainage areas; the overflowing of creeks and rivers; [and] road shoulder erosion and washouts,” it stated.
“Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.”
The rainstorm comes one week after a similarly unseasonable weather system for December.
NB Power said on social media Sunday afternoon it was monitoring the situation.
“We are currently monitoring the weather. Crews are ready to respond if outages occur,” the utility wrote, reminding New Brunswickers to be prepared for power losses by having 72-hour emergency kits at the ready.
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