Residents asked to prepare for freezing rain

With a freezing rain warning currently in effect for Saint John, the Saint John Emergency Management Organization (SJ-EMO) is asking residents to be prepared.

A weather system will bring snow, ice pellets, freezing rain and rain beginning Wednesday evening into Thursday. The period of freezing rain is expected last several hours and will be widespread across southern and central areas of the province. Ice build-up could reach 15 mm locally before the freezing rain ends Thursday morning.

Travel could become difficult Wednesday evening and impact the Thursday morning commute, as such, please allow extra time to reach your destination. The City will continue to monitor updated forecasts as the weather event approaches.

The City’s Public Works and Transportation crews are proactively deploying liquid salt brine to select busier streets to help mitigate ice build-up and slippery road conditions, and will be ready to respond through the storm as required. They are also proactively inspecting select catch basins and other components of the storm water system in response to the possibility of heavier rain. The SJ-EMO will monitor the weather and respond if necessary.

What you can do to help:

• If able, clear catch basins and gutters from any obstructions near homes.
• Use caution and be safe while driving or walking.
• Reduce driving speeds, keep headlights on, observe all posted signage and barricades and avoid driving through any areas that are covered in water.
• Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit.

To report flooding, contact the City’s Customer Service Centre at 658-4455.

To report a fallen power line or power outages, call Saint John Energy at 658-5252 or visit them online.

For emergencies, call 911.

For updates, visit www.saintjohn.ca, follow us on Twitter or Facebook and local media.