Fredericton, New Brunswick, July rainfall breaks record dating back to 1870s

City received 226 mm of rain in July, compared to usual 90 mm

CBC News

Posted: Jul 31, 2013 12:20 PM AT

Last Updated: Jul 31, 2013 1:42 PM AT

Fredericton had a record rainfall this month, receiving a total of 226 millimetres, which caused serious flooding in the area and cancelled several outdoor activities.

It was the wettest July since meteorologists started keeping records in the 1870s, officials say.

Normally, the area receives about 90 millimetres of rain in July.

The worst came last Friday when 119 millimetres of rain fell in the capital city. In the southwest, St. Stephen was drenched with 165 millimetres.

Several roads remain closed in Charlotte and York counties as a result of flooding from heavy rains on the weekend.

Repair work on the washed out roads started on the weekend and most roads will be useable by the end of this week, according to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The department says complete repairs to all roads will take about three weeks and cost about $750,000.

The closed roads are:

• Routes 755, 770 and 127
• Grove Hill Road
• Snider Mountain Road
• Flume Ridge Road
• Reardon Road
• Sorrell Ridge Road
• Route 116 North of Chipman
• Midland Road in Chipman
• Adams Road near Magaguadavic
• Route 105 south of Nackawic

Area residents and business owners whose properties sustained water damage are being urged to report the damage to Service New Brunswick.

St. Croix River running high

Meanwhile, the rainfall is still making its way into the St. Croix River. As a result, the water is flowing at a higher rate than normal for this time of year.

The St. Croix International Waterway Commission is asking paddlers, tubers and boaters of all kinds to use extreme caution around the river at this time.

“Even if you have paddled the river before, it changes completely at high flows such as we are experiencing now. This type of water makes any kind of water activity riskier,” the commission’s executive director Abby Pond said in a statement.

“When you choose to get on the river in these conditions without the proper training, equipment and experience, you are not only putting your own life in danger, but also the lives of the people who will have to come rescue you. You've got to ask yourself if the risk is worth the possible consequence."

With the sunny weather forecast for later this week, the flow should be closer to normal in time for the long weekend.

Campers brave storms

At Mactaquac provincial park, manager Neil Sandwith says despite the rainy days, there have only been a few campers who cancelled.

"I think people in New Brunswick realize that, you know, we are going to get some rain and they are going to get out and do their thing," he said.

Camper Jason Gould, who was enjoying a game of catch with his three sons on Tuesday when the sun was shining, agrees.

Rainy days are part of the camping experience, he said.

"Well obviously we are bit spoiled , we have a big trailer. So I mean, this morning it was raining here not too long ago. We got the deck of cards out and some board games, and we just sat down and played games with the kids."

Concerts cancelled

Rainstorms have put a damper on the festival season, however.
The City of Fredericton's tourism office cancelled five concerts from its outdoor series.

"We've had two or three gigs that have been cancelled and rescheduled and cancelled again because of rain," said bassist John Rosengren.

"We're now rescheduled for next Tuesday, weather permitting. And that'll be the third time we've tried to play at Nashwaaksis Commons this year," he said.

Last weekend's New Brunswick Highland Games were hammered by a storm, but organizers were prepared with tents on had, said spokeswoman Melissa Morton.

A final head count isn't out yet, but the rain didn't help, she said.

"We're not sure if some more people may have come if the weather had been nicer."
The games usually attract more than 5,000 people, she said.

The rain actually helped improve one event at the games — the Kilted 5K. It saw record attendance because the rain kept temperatures down, Morton said.