Extreme rainfall events occur when 50 mm or more rain falls over a 24-hour period. Environment Canada issues a rainfall warning when this is forecast to occur. Extreme storms occur frequently in New Brunswick. In the 2000s, Fredericton and Moncton had more extreme rainfall events than any other decade on record, while Saint John had the highest number of events during the 1960s. The trends were different in all three communities.
Extreme storms impact New Brunswickers in many ways. They can cause flooding of low-lying areas (including residences, infrastructure and roads); overwhelm water sanitation systems; and damage agricultural lands and forests.
The extreme storm events of December 2010 affected many New Brunswickers. Some parts of New Brunswick received almost 200 mm of rain in these storms. These events threatened the health and well-being of many individuals in our communities, as well as our public safety and transportation systems. Economic damages were estimated to be about $50 million.
In New Brunswick, the frequency of extreme rainfall events is expected to increase. New Brunswickers should be thinking about how extreme storm events affect their lives, and how to reduce the damage that these events cause. New Brunswickers can learn more about inland flooding on the River Watch website.
Environment Canada and Government of New Brunswick