Local MLA Rick Doucet tabled a bill today in the provincial legislature that would make it mandatory for municipalities with dams to work with the EMO and have an emergency plan -- before -- flooding happens.
Doucet tells Tide News "When an emergency happens, like the flood in 2010, things change quickly, and we need to be sure things are done at just the right time." He adds, "Basically, right now what happens is operators of dams on the rivers have emergency measures plans to put in place when flooding occurs, but, the problem with the act is the enforcement of these plans does not kick in until a state of emergency has been declared by the Minister."
Doucet says the bill he introduced today will make it mandatory for areas with dams to have an emergency plan -- before there is an emergency.
Doucet tells Tide News two years ago, when the flood of 2010 hit, people in the Boney River area were upset thinking the dam had not done all it could to reduce damage. He says he sees the same thing after the flood this year in Perth Andover. "Let's get it all out in the open, so we can all work together and collaborate on some very important trigger mechanisms that are suitable for the communities." In December 2010, much of Charlotte County was submerged under 174 mm of rain that caused widespead flooding and forced people from their homes and businesses.
During the most severe point, over 120 roads were either underwater or washed away in Charlotte County. (Picture - King Street traffic circle in St. Stephen, December 2010)
