April 13, 2014 by The Canadian Press (CPSTF)
BELLEVILLE, Ont. – Belleville’s firefighters are so busy helping with sandbagging efforts due to flooding that an outdoor burning ban has been brought in to help prevent fires.
Deputy fire chief Bruce Greatrix says residents of rural areas around the city are normally allowed to set controlled fires to get rid of their yard waste at this time of year, if they have a permit.
But the burning ban has been implemented because fire crews don’t have time to respond to outdoor fires, which can quickly spread if it gets windy.
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis declared a state of emergency Thursday because of rising water levels on the Moira River.
He says proclaiming the state of emergency allows the city to recruit volunteers to help build sand bag barriers around homes and property, among other protections.
Quinte Conservation issued a flood warning Wednesday for the Moira River, north of Belleville’s urban area.
Officials say flow rates were increasing again Friday, and heavy rain expected early next week could make the situation even worse.
The area was inundated by flooding in the spring of 2008, and officials predict the situation could be almost as severe this year.
Flood warnings have also been issued for the Salmon and Napanee Rivers, and for the Trent River from Trenton to Hastings.
A woman and her young daughter were rescued from their Belleville home Thursday by firefighters using an inflatable raft.
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis declares a state of emergency due to heavy flooding http://t.co/pFqiws5ZMk #bellevilleflood
— Michael Hoad (@mhoad14) April 11, 2014
Homes turned into islands as volunteers pile sand bags #cbcto #bellevillefloods pic.twitter.com/reVCsMxhSz
— Natalie Kalata (@natalie_kalata) April 12, 2014
@BellevilleON @MarkFluhrerCofB Another successful day of community support here in Belleville #flood2014 pic.twitter.com/l11xkV9Uum
— Joseph D. Reid (@JosephDReid) April 13, 2014
Sandbags are up. Preparing for the worst. #onfloods pic.twitter.com/KVq20TdJnI
— Natalie Thomas (@NatalieTWN) April 12, 2014
Rising water has surrounded this home- owners say it’s rubber boot access only. #BellevilleFlood @CityNews 11pm pic.twitter.com/oe4BSqdrsQ
— Natalie Duddridge (@CityNatalie) April 13, 2014
UPDATE: Flood waters keep rising in #Belleville as residents brace for the worst http://t.co/VaCTKpJW9G pic.twitter.com/AlL846yjMB
— CTV Toronto (@CTVToronto) April 12, 2014
Volunteers waiting troughs the water near Belleville as water continues to rise #cbcto #sl pic.twitter.com/znNYThCGni
— Natalie Kalata (@natalie_kalata) April 12, 2014
Moira River continues to rise. Sandbagging efforts continue. #bellevilleflood pic.twitter.com/G3VRXX5hP4
— Natalie Thomas (@NatalieTWN) April 12, 2014
@weathernetwork doesn’t look like the birds will be sitting onthe rocks any time soon! #bellevilleflood #Napaneefalls pic.twitter.com/t5d3C2mOaA
— Scottie Jean Anne (@ScottieJeanAnne) April 12, 2014
#Belleville on high alert as flood waters continue to rise http://t.co/ByV6Ooquls pic.twitter.com/Oz8xQHCY0Q
— CTV Toronto (@CTVToronto) April 12, 2014
Fire department sending out volunteers #cbcto #sl pic.twitter.com/AO2XMXvuqK
— Natalie Kalata (@natalie_kalata) April 12, 2014
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