St. Stephen: Flooding Crisis

St. Stephen, a small community in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada, has experienced several instances of flooding in recent years. The community of around 5,000 people saw extensive flooding in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2019. The flooding has caused significant damage to businesses and residences, with flooded basements and, in some cases, substantial financial losses. The town's location in a valley, with raised land surrounding it, makes St. Stephen particularly vulnerable to flooding as rainwater funnels into the valley and ultimately into the tidal St. Croix River, which borders the community.

St. Stephen's flooding in 2013

St. Stephen, a town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada, has a history of flooding. While there are no specific details on flooding in St. Stephen for the year 2013, the town has experienced flooding events in the past, including a significant flood in 2010.

On December 13, 2010, a rainstorm caused a flood upstream on a tributary to Dennis Stream in St. Stephen. This flooding impacted businesses located on or near King Street, leading to economic hardships and layoffs. The flood was a result of the replacement of a trestle bridge in Dennis Stream with culvert pipes, which affected the flow of water and contributed to the flooding.

St. Stephen is situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River, which marks a section of the Canada-United States border. The town's location on the river and its proximity to the border have shaped its history and development. While the exact details of the 2013 flooding are unclear, it is possible that the St. Croix River or its tributaries played a role in any flooding events that occurred that year.

The town of St. Stephen has a history of resilience and adaptation to environmental challenges, including flooding. The community has a strong relationship with its neighbouring town of Calais in the United States, often working together and cooperating on projects, including fire safety and emergency response. This collaborative spirit may have played a role in the town's response to and recovery from the 2013 flooding event.

While the impact of the 2013 flooding in St. Stephen is not widely documented, the town has a history of responding to and recovering from environmental challenges. The community's resilience and adaptive strategies likely contributed to their ability to bounce back from any flooding events that occurred during that time.

Flooding in 2010

On the 13th of December 2010, the town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, experienced a severe flood that caused significant damage to businesses and infrastructure. The flood was caused by an intense low-pressure system that brought heavy rains to the region, with St. Stephen recording 166.4 mm of precipitation. The heavy rains, combined with temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius, resulted in severe damage to highways and properties throughout the province.

The flood in St. Stephen led to a state of local emergency being declared, as 100 mm of rain fell in just 18 hours. The deluge caused extensive road and infrastructure damage in Charlotte County, with the town of St. Stephen being particularly affected. The floodwaters inundated businesses and residential areas, leading to layoffs and displacement of residents. One notable business affected was Dennis Hong's Winsome Inn, which suffered flooding in 35 of its 39 units, resulting in approximately $600,000 in damages.

The flooding in St. Stephen was not an isolated incident, as other parts of New Brunswick also experienced significant impacts. In St. George, for example, 37 people were forced to leave their homes when water from the Magaguadavic River affected the westbound lane of Route 1. The town of Fredericton also witnessed storm damage, with curbs washed out, roads flooded, and homes inundated.

The total flood damage across New Brunswick amounted to $13,830,000, including losses to roads, homes, barns, sheds, and valuables within residences. The flooding affected more than 880 claimants who registered with the province for compensation. Additionally, 50 to 60 homes in southwestern New Brunswick were lost, and 665 property owners in Charlotte and York Counties reported damages.

The flood of 2010 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, was a significant event that caused widespread disruption and highlighted the vulnerability of the town's location to flooding events. The aftermath of the flood led to discussions and efforts to prevent similar incidents from occurring again and to provide compensation for those affected.

Flooding in 2018

In 2018, the Canadian province of New Brunswick experienced severe flooding, with water levels surpassing record highs in many areas. The Canadian Coast Guard was enlisted to assist with flood relief efforts as evacuations took place along the lower basin of the St. John River. The Trans-Canada Highway between Fredericton and Moncton was closed to traffic due to the rising waters.

The flooding in New Brunswick was deemed the worst spring flood in over 80 years. Premier Brian Gallant warned residents of unprecedented flood levels and urged them to evacuate while they still could. The rising water caused damage to infrastructure in communities such as Grand Bay-Westfield, Jemseg, and Gagetown.

In the town of St. Stephen, located in the southwestern part of the province, heavy rains also caused flooding. The town's deputy mayor, John Ames, expressed concern and stated that the flooding was reminiscent of the disaster the town experienced in 2010. The raised land surrounding St. Stephen funnels rainwater into the valley and the Saint Croix river, making the town particularly vulnerable to flooding.

The flooding in 2018 led to the launch of a disaster financial assistance program in New Brunswick to aid individuals, small businesses, and municipalities affected by the flood damage. The Canadian Armed Forces were also speculated to assist with the removal of sandbags across the province.

The combination of rain and rising temperatures in southern New Brunswick continued to pose a threat of record-setting water levels, and the province braced for the impact of the severe spring flood.

Flooding in 2011

St. Stephen, a town in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada, experienced significant flooding in December 2010. The flooding was caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and a culvert built by the Irving-owned New Brunswick Southern Railway, which replaced a bridge over a creek. The culvert was unable to handle the high volume of water, resulting in water backup and flooding in the town.

The flooding caused extensive damage to businesses and residences in St. Stephen. Dennis Hong, the owner of Winsome Inn, reported flooding in 35 out of 39 units, resulting in approximately $600,000 in damages. Pat MacKay, the owner of Stationery Plus, also experienced flooding and lost about $35,000 as her business was not insured against this type of flood. Other businesses in the town were similarly affected, with many demanding compensation for the damage caused by the flood.

The provincial government of New Brunswick responded to the flooding by implementing a plan to assist individuals, small businesses, and municipalities impacted by the disaster. The plan aimed to provide financial aid to those who suffered property damage from the flood. The flooding in St. Stephen also led to criticism of Irving-held companies, particularly regarding their actions during the flood and the management of the Lake Utopia hydroelectric dam.

The raised land surrounding St. Stephen contributes to its susceptibility to flooding. When heavy rainfall occurs, the water funnels into the valley and ultimately into the Saint Croix River, a tidal river bordering the community. This geographical feature increases the risk of flooding in the town.

To prevent future flooding, the town of St. Stephen planned to hold a meeting with experts to discuss potential solutions and guidance on mitigating the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding. The community's efforts focused on ensuring that such an event would not happen again and protecting the town from the devastating effects of natural disasters.

The impact of flooding on businesses

St. Stephen, a small community in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada, has experienced flooding multiple times in recent years, including in 2010, 2011, and 2013. The impact of flooding on businesses in St. Stephen and other areas can be significant and far-reaching. Here are some ways that flooding can affect businesses:

Loss of Stock and Assets:

Floods can cause damage to company inventory, vehicles, fixtures, fittings, and machinery. Businesses may suffer financial losses if they are unable to replace these items immediately, disrupting their operations and ability to serve customers.

Closure of Business Premises:

Floodwaters entering a business storefront can force the business to close its doors for extended periods until it is safe for customers to return. This interruption can deplete reserve funds as bills continue to accumulate, causing financial strain.

Loss of Power and Data:

Floods can damage electrical equipment and cause unstable power supplies, impacting most equipment and tools that rely on electricity. Computers and servers may be damaged, resulting in data loss, further complicating operations.

Impact on Employees:

Employees may be unable to come to work due to flooded streets, roadblocks, or relocation. This can disrupt operations and delay recovery efforts, especially when combined with the need to recover lost inventory.

Long-term Financial Recovery:

The financial consequences of flooding can persist for months or even years. Businesses may need to navigate complex insurance claim processes and seek legal assistance, adding to their challenges.

Mental Health Impact:

Flooding can take a toll on the mental health of business owners and employees, leading to emotional distress, worry, trouble concentrating, and difficulty making decisions. It is crucial to provide support and resources to help individuals cope with the aftermath of flooding.

Impact on Local Economy:

Flooding can have a negative effect on the local economy, including employment and economic growth. A study on the impact of flooding in China found that flooding negatively impacted firm performance, investment, financial, and payout policies, as well as local economic and employment growth.

Overall, flooding can have severe and long-lasting consequences for businesses, disrupting operations, causing financial losses, and affecting the well-being of those involved. It is essential for businesses to be prepared, insured, and supported by local authorities and disaster relief organizations to mitigate the impact of flooding.

Frequently asked questions