Ice buildup: what are the risks?
Concern that sudden temperature change could mean flooding
So far, 2018 has been an erratic year for weather in Pictou County.
Between the cold snaps, thaws, snowstorms, high winds and precipitation in the span of a couple of weeks, some people are starting to worry about the state of the East River, and the potential for ice buildup and flooding this year.
“I would say we’re relatively safe now,” said John Davison, regional emergency co-ordinator with the Pictou County Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO).
“I’m not saying it won’t happen, but I’d be kind of surprised if it did. I know that we have quite a bit of rain coming, but that’s along the Atlantic coast.”
Davison said that New Glasgow and other communities along the East River haven’t seen a flood in a period of time “encroaching on 10 years,” and that although there has been a lot of wild weather lately, the volumes of snow and precipitation are not enough to trigger any flooding or ice buildup along the banks of the river.
According to Davison, the conditions required for a flood situation include a significant buildup of ice in the river; suddenly elevated temperatures and “a good snow load, with a lot of water in it to start melting.” Another trigger for flood conditions is a significant amount of rain – 50 mm or greater.
“You accompany all those factors together with a high tide, and you could have flooding along the East River,” he said. “I’m not seeing that in the forecast.”
In the event of a flood, Davison at the rest of those with Pictou County REMO are prepared. The protocol for a flood situation is to evacuate the area where the flooding takes place, and close off roads leading to and from that area.
“You just have to deal with it, as it comes. If the water is going to rise, then all you have to do is go for higher ground,” said Davison.
“You’re dealing with nature. Water’s going to flow where water is going to go. The important thing is to let Mother Nature take its course. There’s no way you can stop water from coming downriver. It’s going to come – especially when you have a high tide, and you’re in a flood plain area.”
Davison said Pictou County REMO doesn’t take any measures of its own to break up river ice, because the East River is within a tidal zone.
“You see it with some rivers, they will bring in machines to do that. But when you are in a tidal zone, and the tide goes out, the water will go with it,” he said.
“And when the tide comes back in, it will cause a backup. If you get a surge with heavy winds, it causes a storm surge that would increase the probability of overflowing. But it’s looking good, so far.”