Emergency Notices

The Town would like to provide our residents with a context of the Emergency Management Groups observations over the December 1st – 2nd, 2020 Emergency.

• Analysis of the Town’s two electronic monitoring gauges and the water level rise recorded at each indicates the emergency of December 01 – 02, 2020 was a major Trout Creek event. Clearly obvious to all impacted. Our recordings indicated the Kennebecasis River system received water but saw little damage impact as a result of this rain event. The water was high, but capacity remained to receive the tributaries such as Trout Creek, and further upstream tributaries such as Parsons Brook and Wards Creek.
• Water levels along Trout Creek were near the April 2014 levels. Water levels in the Kennebecasis were far below the 2014 recorded readings.
• The upstream reaches of Parsons Brook and Wards Creek received little impact.
• Social Media speculation on the workings of the Gateway Mall Berm continue in our community. In keeping with our analysis of the recording of river levels, and our overall emergency analysis; this flood event was localized within Trout Creek system given the measurements recorded, and, the Town’s onsite observations of staff deployed atop of the berm structure during this emergency. The water levels in the Kennebecasis never reached the “toe of slope” (bottom) on the earthen berm. That said, the mechanical devices for backflow prevention never triggered, and the portable pump although mobilized was never used on either December 01 or December 02. Runoff from upstream areas along Main Street and the mall parking lots discharged into the Kennebecasis River without issue. A Far different flooding event than that experienced in April 2014 in the Gateway Mall area.

Flood Master Planning, Town of Sussex & Village of Sussex Corner:

• The Town would also reference our Flood Master Plan for the publics review and public consideration. The complete Flood Master Plan document can be found at the following link. https://sussex.ca/media/Sussex-Region-Flood-Risk-Mitigation-Plan-Final-Report.pdf
• A public presentation of our Flood Master Plan https://sussex.ca/media/2020-09-10-Sussex-Regional-Master-Flood-Plan-Public-Presentatio.pdf was reviewed and presented to the Public on September 10th, 2020.
• The Town of Sussex and the Village of Sussex Corner request the public’s input by completing an online survey at the following link: https://sussex.ca/public-presentation-of-flood-master-plan/. To date nine (9) people have provided their input. We are requesting additional comments, and greater public dialogue on our Master Plan.

Forward Planning and Frank Open Discussion necessary:

• The magnitude of the flooding issue faced by our communities is far greater than removing the top layer of gravel within six inches of the water surface that would likely be permitted even if a permit could be secured. This is not a viable long term solution, however much discussion is needed in developing a viable long term solution that will work when needed, and more importantly work every time.
• Events similar to that experienced on December 1st and 2nd have a 1% annual probability of occurring again, but, most residents say the magnitude is far to frequent and the time is now to have meaningful, frank discussions about our future and constructive dialogue of how we choose to live in our community safely without the constant threat of flooding and repeated property damage.
• The Town has started to conduct a post event debriefing to identify weaknesses in our emergency response of December 1st and 2nd, and to constructive critique our efforts with a view to make meaningful improvements in future emergency response. We had issues during this event, and, our Emergency Control Group will identify each issue faced in this emergency and these post event recommendations will be forwarded to Sussex Town Council of necessary improvements on December 14th, 2020.

Activation Level:

• EOC staffing at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre continues.
• If necessary a virtual meeting will be called at 4:30 PM December 02, 2020 to further assess our response, forecast and electronic readings at that time with the Town’s full EMO Control Group.
• River trending levels began receding 3:35 am Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town has implemented Full Activation at 7:30 PM, local time December 01, 2020.
• The Town’s EOC implemented Level 2 – Partial Activation at 6:20 pm, local time December 01th, 2020.
• Staffing levels have been reached to address any issues should they arise on Tuesday December 01, 2020 and the early morning hours Wednesday December 02, 2020. Five (5) Unionized staff are currently on site, and a shift change was completed to increase this work complement and to schedule an appropriate rest to continue work related to this rain event.
• Sussex Fire department Volunteer staffing levels have been reduced to two (2) person complement.

The Town participated in a teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health, 1:30 PM local time December 02, 2020 to update our EOC Control Group on the Orange Level response in Zone 2, the Saint John Region.

The Town’s EOC Coordinator asked the question related to the necessary precautions that need to be taken when volunteers offer assistance to affected residents. The District Medial Officer of Health provides the following guidance:

• Volunteers should monitor for symptoms and if a volunteer has symptoms, the advice is not to volunteer.
• Volunteers should not participate if they have been recently contacted by Public Health of a possible exposure to COVID-19 or those persons that have been directed by Public Health to self-isolate.
• All volunteers are recommended to wear a mask at all times.
• All volunteers are advised to practice good hand hygiene.

Meeting with Sussex Council:
The EOC Control Group has requested a meeting at 2:30 pm local time with Sussex Council and local politicians. The purpose of this meeting is to advise our elected leaders of the emergency event and response to date. The Town’s EOC Group will review with council the preplanning of the recovery phase of this flooding event.

Recovery, Cleanup:
The Town has arranged the deployment of a number of dumpsters through the community to assist area residents. The full deployment should be complete by days end.

Water Levels / Notifications:

• The Town’s EMO Group held a EOC meeting to review the forecasted rain event, experiences and recovery efforts necessary at 1:00 PM local time December 02, 2020.
• Intense rainfall has ended.
• The Town is currently monitoring two (2) electronic River gauges, one located on Trout Creek, and the new gauge located on the Kennebecasis River near the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• The Town’s rain gauge located at the Work’s Garage has recorded very close to the amount predicted by the Town’s weather forecasting service, as of meeting time. Rainfall was recorded in the 115mm range over the last 24 hours..
• The Town will continue to monitor the remote camera located at the Wallace Court Wastewater Pumping Station that monitors the river gauge installed at that location. Residents may observe remote lighting of the river gauge undertaken remotely through the Town’s SCADA system by Town staff. This lighting is to assist the Emergency Staff monitor river levels.
• Our electronic river level sensor has indicated the bottom of the yellow line on the Maple Avenue NBDT&I structure was reached at approximately 6:20 PM this evening, triggering activation of the EMO Messaging and full activation of the Town’s EMO team. The rate of rise is now trending downwards.
• The river gauge is currently reading (1:30 PM) 18.47 meters, down from a high of 19.79. meters as of 3:28 am.
• A reading of 19.24 meters is a 1 in 20 storm milestone. Cresting recorded is estimated to be nearing the April 2014 rain event
• Given the current weather conditions, Trout Creek crested the high level banks at approximately 10:30 pm this evening, thus creating the conditions of flooding of properties and streets in flood prone areas of Sussex.

Notifications, should it become necessary:

• Door to door notifications have ended.
• The Town has send a 72 hour be prepared message on its website and social media feeds on November 30th, 2020.
• Residents have been advised to take the necessary precautions in the event of localized flooding and to begin the process of moving personal items to levels that would keep safe the property from the potential of water damage.

Sussex Fire Department:

• Chief Wanamaker has staffed down to two (2) firefighters at the Sussex Fire Station.
• The Town has requested and received Mutual Aid from the Town of Hampton. Their rescue boat and crew have returned to their Fire Station. The Town of Sussex is grateful for Hampton’s assistance.

Works Operations:

• A full dayshift staff complement are currently on site and have begun response to this event as directed by the Sussex EMO team.
• The Town’s portable pump has been returned to the Works Garage.
• All wastewater pumping station operating in normal operational range. Assessment has been completed and three (3) WWPS have been placed into overflow. The Town has notified the NBDOE&LG of this precautionary measures.

Warming Centre / Emergency Shelters

• The Town will issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answering service at 432-4540 for assistance.
• Arrangements have been made with the Red Cross should these steps be necessary to continue.
• As of this 1:00 pm meeting, twenty-two (22) families have been placed in temporary shelters.

Safety Issues, flood response:

• The Town has requested assistance form the Provincial EMO Coordinator related to the danger of submerged NB Power pad mount transformers currently energized. Response awaited.
• Information forwarded to NBDT&I related to water impact to the bridge structure girders on Leonard Drive. Contact has been made with the District Highway Engineer.

Street Closures:

• The following street closures are currently in the process of being closed to traffic:
  o McLean Street.
  o Holman Avenue.
• The Town is assessing the necessary Trail closures and ask residents to exercise caution when using the trail system.
• The Town’s EMO Team would request the public’s assistance to not drive on flooded streets during this emergency. Doing so creates additional hardship to those residents affected. Please obey the Town’s placement of road closures or barricades.

Public Information:

• The Town issued its first Sentinel alert system wide at 7:30 PM local time December 01, 2020.
• A second message informing residents of the need to evacuate was completed.
• The Sussex Fire has completed the process of public notice to the subdivisions affected beginning at 7:30 PM this evening. Multiple tours of the affected areas were completed.
• No press conferences scheduled at this time.

Activation Level:

• EOC staffing at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre continues.
• If necessary a virtual meeting will be called at 1:00 PM December 02, 2020 to further assess our response, forecast and electronic readings at that time with the Town’s full EMO Control Group.
• River trending levels began receding 3:35 am Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town has implemented Full Activation at 7:30 PM, local time December 01, 2020.
• The Town’s EOC implemented Level 2 – Partial Activation at 6:20 pm, local time December 01th, 2020.
• Staffing levels have been reached to address any issues should they arise on Tuesday December 01, 2020 and the early morning hours Wednesday December 02, 2020. Five (5) Unionized staff are currently on site, and a shift change was completed to increase this work complement and to schedule an appropriate rest to continue work related to this rain event.
• Sussex Fire department Volunteer staffing levels remain at an eleven (11) person complement.

Water Levels / Notifications:

• The Town’s EMO Group held a EOC meeting to review the forecasted rain event, experiences at 7:00 AM local time this morning.
• The Town is currently monitoring two (2) electronic River gauges, one located on Trout Creek, and on the Kennebecasis River near the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• The Town’s rain gauge located at the Work’s Garage has recorded very close to the amount predicted by the Town’s weather forecasting service, as of meeting time. Rainfall was recorded in the 115mm range.
• Over the last several hours the radar has shown decreased intensity on the Mechanic Lake side of Sussex with less intensity of rainfall in the upper Trout Creek watershed.
• The next low tide is expected at approximately 6:50 am Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town will continue to monitor the remote camera located at the Wallace Court Wastewater Pumping Station that monitors the river gauge installed at that location. Residents may observe remote lighting of the river gauge undertaken remotely through the Town’s SCADA system by Town staff. This lighting is to assist the Emergency Staff monitor river levels.
• Our electronic river level sensor has indicated the bottom of the yellow line on the Maple Avenue NBDT&I structure was reached at approximately 6:20 PM this evening, triggering activation of the EMO Messaging and full activation of the Town’s EMO team. The rate of rise is now trending downwards.
• The river gauge is currently reading 19.47 meters, down from a high of 19.79. meters as of 3:28 am.
• A reading of 19.24 meters is a 1 in 20 storm milestone. Cresting recorded is estimated to be nearing the April 2014 rain event. The electronic gauges were installed as a result of the 2014 events and have been operational beginning in early 2016.
• Given the current weather conditions, Trout Creek crested the high level banks at approximately 10:30 pm this evening, thus creating the conditions of flooding of properties and streets in flood prone areas of Sussex.

Notifications, should it become necessary:

• Door to door notifications will not be undertaken during this event do to the pandemic.
• The Sussex Fire Department will and have used in the loud speaker equipment when necessary and the Town will use Sentinel Systems notifications when warranted.
• A second round of Sussex Fire Department vehicles has been completed.
• The Town has issued a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answer service at 432-4540 for assistance. This notification was undertaken at 9:35 PM December 01, 2020.
• The Town has send a 72 hour be prepared message on its website and social media feeds on November 30th, 2020.
• Residents have been advised to take the necessary precautions in the event of localized flooding and to begin the process of moving personal items to levels that would keep safe the property from the potential of water damage.

Sussex Fire Department:

• Chief Wanamaker continues the process of pre-staging volunteer fire fighters to develop the resources necessary should the emergency warrant.
• 11 volunteer firefighters are being deployed to various emergency sites from the Sussex Fire Station.
• The Town has requested and received Mutual Aid from the Town of Hampton. Their rescue boat and crew continue on scene and are on site at the Sussex Fire Station. The Town of Sussex is grateful for Hampton’s assistance.

Works Operations:

• Five (5) Works employees are currently on site and have begun response to this event as directed by the Sussex EMO team.
• A second team has been called in to complete a shift change in the early morning hours of Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town’s portable pump is preposition at the Gateway Mall Berm The pump equipment is being prepared for operation, if necessary. To date this unit has not been required.
• All wastewater pumping station operating in normal operational range. Assessment has been completed and three (3) WWPS have been placed into overflow. The Town has notified the NBDOE&LG of this precautionary measure.

Warming Centre / Emergency Shelters

• The EOC has secured an opening of a shelter, if necessary.
• The Town will issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answering service at 432-4540 for assistance.
• Arrangements have been made with the Red Cross should these steps be necessary.
• As of this 7:00 am meeting, fourteen (14) families have been placed in temporary shelters.

Safety Issues, flood response:

• The Town has requested assistance form the Provincial EMO Coordinator related to the danger of submerged NB Power pad mount transformers currently energized. Electrocution Hazzard. Response awaited.
• Information forwarded to NBDT&I related to water impact to the bridge structure girders on Leonard Drive.
• Plugged culverts near the Doug’s Recreation site under Route 1 are currently plugged. Village of Sussex Corner notified.

Street Closures:

• The following street closures are currently in the process of being closed to traffic:
  o McLean Street.
  o Pine Street.
  o Wallace Court.
  o Golding Street
  o Arnold Avenue.
  o Willow Court (Lower section)
  o Holman Avenue.
  o Stewart Avenue from Maple Avenue to the Entrance to Barbours Foods.
  o Mills Lane.
  o Maxwell Drive / /Intersection at Pine Street.
  o Maple Avenue.
  o Leonard Drive.
  o King Street.
  o Birch Street.
  o Perry Street.
• The Town’s EMO Team would request the public’s assistance to not drive on flooded streets during this emergency. Doing so creates additional hardship to those residents affected. Please obey the Town’s placement of road closures or barricades.

Public Information:

• The Town issued its first Sentinel alert system wide at 7:30 PM local time December 01, 2020.
• A second message informing residents of the need to evacuate was completed.
• The Sussex Fire has completed the process of public notice to the subdivisions affected beginning at 7:30 PM this evening. Multiple tours of the affected areas were completed.
• No press conferences scheduled at this time.

Activation Level:

• Mobilization of EOC staffing to the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre has been completed.
• If necessary a virtual meeting will be called at 7:00 AM December 02, 2020 to further assess our response, forecast and electronic readings at that time with the Town’s full EMO Control Group.
• The Town has implemented Full Activation at 7:30 PM, local time December 01, 2020.
• The Town’s EOC implemented Level 2 – Partial Activation at 6:20 pm, local time December 01th, 2020.
• Staffing levels have been reached to address any issues should they arise on Tuesday December 01, 2020 and the early morning hours Wednesday December 02, 2020. Four Unionized staff are currently on site, and a shift change has begun to increase this work complement and to schedule a appropriate rest to continue work related to this rain event.
• Sussex Fire department Volunteer staffing levels remain at a 16 person complement.

Water Levels / Notifications:

• The Town’s EMO Group held a EOC meeting to review the forecasted rain event, experiences at 1:00 AM local time this morning.
• The Town is now currently actively monitoring two (2) electronic River gauges, one located on Trout Creek, and on the Kennebecasis River near the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• The Town’s rain gauge located at the work’s Garage has recorded very close to the amount predicted by the Town’s weather forecasting service, as of meeting time.
• The next forecast is expected at 3:00 am, December 03, 2020.
• The next low tide is expected at approximately 6:50 am Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town will continue to monitor the remote camera located at the Wallace Court Wastewater Pumping Station that monitors the river gauge installed at that location. Residents may observe remote lighting of the river gauge undertaken remotely through the Town’s SCADA system by Town staff. This lighting is to assist the Emergency Staff monitor river levels.
• Our electronic river level sensor has indicated the bottom of the yellow line on the Maple Avenue NBDT&I structure was reached at approximately 6:20 PM this evening, triggering activation of the EMO Messaging and full activation of the Town’s EMO team. The rate of rise however relatively slow at that time of observation.
• The river gauge has reached 19.51 meters as of 1:00 am. This translates to 6 feet above the bottom of the yellow line on the NBDT&I bridge structure on Maple Avenue. 19.24 meters is a 1 in 20 storm milestone.
• Given the current weather conditions, Trout Creek crested the high level banks at approximately 10:30 pm this evening, thus creating the conditions of flooding of properties and streets in flood prone areas of Sussex.

Notifications, should it become necessary:

• Door to door notifications are not be undertaken during this event do to the pandemic.
• The Sussex Fire Department will use in the loud speaker equipment when necessary and the Town will use Sentinel Systems notifications when warranted.
• A second round of Sussex Fire Department vehicles has been completed.
• The Town has issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answer service at 432-4540 for assistance. This notification was undertaken at 9:35 PM December 01, 2020.
• The Town has send a 72 hour be prepared message on its website and social media feeds on November 30th, 2020.
• Residents have been advised to take the necessary precautions in the event of localized flooding and to begin the process of moving personal items to levels that would keep the property safe from the potential of water damage.

Sussex Fire Department:

• Chief Wanamaker has begun the process of pre-staging volunteer fire fighters to develop the resources necessary should the emergency warrant.
• 16 volunteer firefighters are at the Sussex Fire Station.

Works Operations:

• Four (4) Works employees are currently on site and have begun response to this event as directed by the Sussex EMO team.
• A second team has been called in to complete a shift change in the coming hour.
• The Town’s portable pump at the Gateway Mall Berm has been positioned into place. The pump equipment is being prepared for operation, if necessary.
• All wastewater pumping stations operating in normal operational range. Assessment has been completed and two (2) WWPS have been placed into overflow. The Town has notified the NBDOE&LG of this precautionary measure.

Warming Centre / Emergency Shelters

• The EOC has secured an opening of a shelter, if necessary.
• The Town will issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answering service at 432-4540 for assistance.
• Arrangements have been made with the Red Cross should these steps be necessary.
• As of this 11:00 pm meeting, ten (10) families have been placed in temporary shelters.
  Active evacuations are underway on Golding Street to offer temporary shelter to those residents impacted by flooding.

Safety Issues, flood response:

• The Town has requested assistance form the Provincial EMO Coordinator related to the danger of submerged NB Power pad mount transformers currently energized. Response awaited.
• Information forwarded to NBDT&I related to water impact to the bridge structure girders on Leonard Drive.

Street Closures:

• The following street closures are currently in the process of being closed to traffic:
  o McLean Street.
  o Pine Street.
  o Wallace Court.
  o Willow Court (Lower section)
  o Holman Avenue.
  o Stewart Avenue form Maple Avenue to the Entrance to Barbours Foods.
  o Mills Lane.
  o Maxwell Drive / /Intersection at Pine Street.
  o Maple Avenue.
• The Town’s EMO Team would request the public’s assistance to not drive on flooded streets during this emergency. Doing so creates additional hardship to those residents affected. Please obey the Town’s placement of road closures or barricades.

Public Information:

• The Town issued its first Sentinel alert system wide at 7:30 PM local time this evening.
• A second message informing residents of the need to evacuate is imminent.
• The Sussex Fire has completed the process of public notice to the subdivisions affected beginning at 7:30 PM this evening. A second tour of the affected areas is was completed.
• No press conferences scheduled at this time.

Activation Level:

• Mobilization of EOC staffing to the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre is currently underway.
• The Town will convene its next EMO Group meeting on site at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre.
• If necessary a virtual meeting will be called at 02:00 AM December 02, 2020 to further assess our response, forecast and electronic readings at that time with the Town’s full EMO Control Group.
• The Town has implemented Full Activation at 7:30 PM, local time December 01, 2020.
• The Town’s EOC implemented Level 2 – Partial Activation at 6:20 pm, local time December 01th, 2020.
• Staffing levels have been reached to begin the process of addressing any issues should they arise on Tuesday December 01, 2020 and the early morning hours Wednesday December 02, 2020. Four Unionized staff are currently n site and planning has begun to increase this work complement and to schedule a shift change to continue work related to this rain event.
• Sussex Fire department Volunteer staffing levels remain at an 8 person complement.

Water Levels / Notifications:

• The Town’s EMO Group held a virtual meeting to review the forecasted rain event, experiences at 11:00 PM local time tonight.
• The Town is now currently actively monitoring two (2) electronic River gauges, one located on Trout Creek, and the new gauge located on the Kennebecasis River near the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• The Town’s rain gauge located at the work’s Garage has recorded very close to the amount predicted by the Town’s weather forecasting service, as of meeting time.
• Over the last several hours the radar has shown increased intensity on the Mechanic Lake side of Sussex with intense rainfall in the upper Trout Creek watershed.
• The next forecast is expected at 3:00 am, December 03, 2020.
• The next high tide is expected at approximately 12:17 am Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town will continue to monitor the remote camera located at the Wallace Court Wastewater Pumping Station that monitors the river gauge installed at that location. Residents may observe remote lighting of the river gauge undertaken remotely through the Town’s SCADA system by Town staff. This lighting is to assist the Emergency Staff monitor river levels.
• Our electronic river level sensor has indicated the bottom of the yellow line on the Maple Avenue NBDT&I structure was reached at approximately 6:20 PM this evening, triggering activation of the EMO Messaging and full activation of the Town’s EMO team. The rate of rise however relatively slow at that time of observation.
• The river gauge has reached 19.13 meters as of 11:20 pm. This translates to 5 feet above the bottom of the yellow line on the NBDT&I bridge structure on Maple Avenue. 19.24 meters is a 1 in 20 storm milestone.
• Given the current weather conditions, Trout Creek crested the high level banks at approximately 10:30 pm this evening, thus creating the conditions of flooding of properties and streets in flood prone areas of Sussex.

Notifications, should it become necessary:

• Door to door notifications will not be undertaken during this event do to the pandemic.
• The Sussex Fire Department will use in the loud speaker equipment when necessary and the Town will use Sentinel Systems notifications when warranted.
• A second round of Sussex Fire Department vehicles has been completed.
• The Town has issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answer service at 432-4540 for assistance. This notification was undertaken at 9:35 PM December 01, 2020.
• The Town has send a 72 hour be prepared message on its website and social media feeds on November 30th, 2020.
• Residents have been advised to take the necessary precautions in the event of localized flooding and to begin the process of moving personal items to levels that would keep safe the property from the potential of water damage.

Sussex Fire Department:

• Chief Wanamaker has begun the process of pre-staging volunteer fire fighters to develop the resources necessary should the emergency warrant.
• 8 volunteer firefighters are at the Sussex Fire Station.

Works Operations:

• Four (4) Works employees are currently on site and have begun response to this event as directed by the Sussex EMO team.
• A second team will be called in to complete a shift change in the coming hour.
• The Town’s portable pump is necessary to preposition at the Gateway Mall Berm has been positioned into place. The pump equipment is being prepared for operation, if necessary.
• All wastewater pumping station operating in normal operational range. Assessment has been completed and two (2) WWPS have been placed into overflow. The Town has notified the NBDOE&LG of this precautionary measures.

Warming Centre / Emergency Shelters

• The EOC has secured an opening of a shelter, if necessary.
• The Town will issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answering service at 432-4540 for assistance.
• Arrangements have been made with the Red Cross should these steps be necessary.
• As of this 11:00 pm meeting, two (2) families have been placed in temporary shelters.
  Assessment underway on Golding Street to offer temporary shelter to those residents impacted by flooding.

Street Closures:

• The following street closures are currently in the process of being closed to traffic:
  o McLean Street.
  o Pine Street.
  o Wallace Court.
  o Willow Court (Lower section)
  o Holman Avenue
• The Town’s EMO Team would request the public’s assistance to not drive on flooded streets during this emergency. Doing so creates additional hardship to those residents affected. Please obey the Town’s placement of road closures or barricades.

Public Information:

• The Town issued its first Sentinel alert system wide at 7:30 PM local time this evening.
• A second message informing residents of the need to evacuate is imminent.
• The Sussex Fire has completed the process of public notice to the subdivisions affected beginning at 7:30 PM this evening. A second tour of the affected areas is now underway.
• No press conferences scheduled at this time.

Activation Level:

• The Town has implemented Full Activation at 7:30 PM, local time December 01, 2020.
• Staffing levels have been reached to begin the process of addressing any issues should they arise on Tuesday December 01, 2020 and the early morning hours Wednesday December 02, 2020. Four Unionized staff will be called in to begin work related to this rain event.
• Sussex Fire department Volunteer staffing levels are now at an 8 person complement.
• The Town will convene its next EMO Group meeting virtually at 11:00 PM December 01, 2020 to further assess our response, forecast and electronic readings at that time.

Water Levels / Notifications:

• The Town’s EMO Group held a virtual meeting to review the forecasted rain event, experiences at 9:00 PM local time tonight.
• The Town is now currently actively monitoring two (2) electronic River gauges, one located on Trout Creek, and the new gauge located on the Kennebecasis River near the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• The Town’s rain gauge located at the work’s Garage has recorded very close to the amount predicted by the Town’s weather forecasting service, as of meeting time.
• The next forecast is expected at 3:00 am, December 03, 2020.
• The next high tide is expected at approximately 12:17 am Wednesday December 02, 2020.
• The Town will continue to monitor the remote camera located at the Wallace Court Wastewater Pumping Station that monitors the river gauge installed at that location. Residents may observe remote lighting of the river gauge undertaken remotely through the Town’s SCADA system by Town staff. This lighting is to assist the Emergency Staff monitor river levels.
• The river gauge has reached 18.60 meters as of 9:10 pm. This translates to 3 feet above the bottom of the yellow line on the NBDT&I bridge structure on Maple Avenue.
• Given the current weather conditions, Trout Creek is expected to crest the high level banks prior to 10:30 pm this evening, thus creating the conditions of flooding of properties and streets in flood prone areas of Sussex.

Notifications, should it become necessary:

• Door to door notifications will not be undertaken during this event do to the pandemic.
• The Sussex Fire Department will use in the loud speaker equipment when necessary and the Town will use Sentinel Systems notifications when warranted.
• A second round of Sussex Fire Department vehicles will begin shortly.
• The Town will issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answer service at 432-4540 for assistance.
• The Town has send a 72 hour be prepared message on its website and social media feeds on November 30th, 2020.
• Residents have been advised to take the necessary precautions in the event of localized flooding and to begin the process of moving personal items to levels that would keep safe the property from the potential of water damage.

Sussex Fire Department:

• Chief Wanamaker has begun the process of prestaging volunteer fire fighters to develop the resources necessary should the emergency warrant.
• 8 volunteer firefighters are at the Sussex Fire Station.

Works Operations:

• Four (4) Works employees are currently on site and have begun response to this event as directed by the Sussex EMO team.
• The Town’s portable pump is necessary to preposition at the Gateway Mall Berm has been positioned into place. The pump equipment is being prepared for operation, if necessary.
• All wastewater pumping station operating in normal operational range. Assessment has been completed and two (2) WWPS have been placed into overflow. The Town has notified the NBDOE&LG of this precautionary measures.

Warming Centre / Emergency Shelters

• The EOC has secured an opening of a shelter, if necessary.
• The Town will issue a notice to advise residents with a need to evacuate their homes to call the Town’s answering service at 432-4540 for assistance.
• Arrangements have been made with the Red Cross should these steps be necessary.

Street Closures:

• There are currently no streets closed to through traffic.
• The Town’s EMO Team would request the public’s assistance to not drive on flooded streets during this emergency. Doing so creates additional hardship to those residents affected. Please obey the Town’s placement of road closures or barricades.

Public Information:

• The Town issued its first Sentinel alert system wide at 7:30 PM local time this evening.
• The Sussex Fire has completed the process of public notice to the subdivisions affected beginning at 7:30 PM this evening. A second tour of the affected areas is now underway.
• No press conferences scheduled at this time.

This is an advisory from the Town of Sussex that sheltering is available. It’s Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

Residents who are in need of shelter can make arrangements by calling the Town Office main line at 432-4540. If it is an emergency, please dial 911.

Before leaving for the shelter, please take steps to secure your home and property. Remember to bring any medications and essentials with you.

Please also make arrangements for care of your pets as you may not be able return to your home once you leave.

If you need immediate assistance, please call 911.

Activation Level:

• The Town will implement Full Activation at 7:30 PM, local time December 01, 2020.
• We have begun the process of staffing up to address any issues should they arise on Tuesday December 01, 2020 and the early morning hours Wednesday December 02, 2020. Four Unionized staff will be called in to begin work related to this rain event.
• The Town will convene its next EMO Group meeting virtually at 9:00 PM December 01, 2020 to further assess our response, forecast and electronic readings at that time.

Water Levels / Notifications:

• The Town’s EMO Group held a virtual meeting to review the forecasted rain event, experiences at 7:00 PM local time tonight.
• The Town is now currently monitoring two (2) electronic River gauges, one located on Trout Creek, and the other located on the Kennebecasis River near the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• The Town’s rain gauge located at the work’s Garage has recorded 54 mm of rainfall, very close to the amount predicted by the Town’s weather forecasting service,  as of meeting time.
• The next Woods Canada forecast is expected at 3:00 am, December 03, 2020.
• Low tide is working with us during this event, with the low tide expected at approximately 6:35 pm this evening.
• The Town will continue to monitor the remote camera located at the Wallace Court Wastewater Pumping Station that monitors the river gauge installed at that location. Our electronic river level sensor has indicated the bottom of the yellow line on the Maple Avenue NBDT&I structure was reached at approximately 6:20 PM this evening. The rate of rise however relatively slow.

Notifications, should it become necessary:

• Door to door notifications will not be undertaken during this event do to the pandemic.
• The Sussex Fire Department will use in the loud speaker equipment when necessary and the Town will use Sentinel Systems notifications when warranted.
• The Town has sent a 72 hour be prepared message on its website and social media feeds on November 30^th, 2020.
• Residents have been advised to take the necessary precautions in the event of localized flooding and to begin the process of moving personal items to levels that would keep safe the property from the potential of water damage.

Sussex Fire Department:

• Chief Wanamaker has begun the process of prestaging volunteer fire fighters to develop the resources necessary should the emergency warrant.

Works Operations:

• Works employees are currently being called in to begin response to this event. The Department will engage four (4) staff as an initial response.
• Precautionary steps are currently underway should the Town’s portable pump is necessary to preposition at the Gateway Mall Berm. The pump equipment has been prepared to deploy.
• All wastewater pumping station operating in normal operational range. Assessment is currently underway to place WWPS to overflow.

Warming Centre / Emergency Shelters

• Arrangements have been made with the Red Cross should these steps be necessary.

Public Information:

• The Town will issue its first Sentinel alert system wide at 7:30 PM local time this evening.
• The Sussex Fire will begin the process of public notice to the subdivisions affected beginning at 7:30 PM this evening.  
• No press conferences scheduled at this time.

Residents in low lying areas should be advised that there is the potential for a significant rise in river levels which could have rivers nearing or surpassing flood stage in the next 24-48 hours. With the forecast of high winds, power outages are also possible.

Due to our community being in the COVID 19 Orange Level, the Fire Department will not be going door to door to warn of rising flood waters.

Residents who are signed up for the Sentinel Alerting System will receive an alert through their phone and email when waters near flood stage. If the situation warrants, fire trucks and personnel will be visible in your neighborhood. Should you require assistance, please put your mask on and approach them while keeping in mind the need for social distancing. If you don’t see Fire Department personnel, and you require assistance, please dial 911.

In advance of the storm, residents should take all necessary steps to secure their home and belongings from heavy winds and rain. It is also advisable to have ready any medications and essentials you will require in the event that evacuation becomes necessary. It would also be prudent to arrange for care of your pets should you have to leave your home. Please take a moment to visit the following website which will help you to prepare a 72 hour kit for you and your family.

Be Prepared – Have a 72 Hour Kit

Please monitor local media and weather forecasts for further details of the storms progression.