Productive meeting of the Saint-Jacques sector joint task force and Environment Canada

Sep 28, 2023

On September 22nd, the Saint-Jacques sector joint task force met with Environment Canada representatives in Edmundston to gain a better understanding of the June 29 weather phenomenon that caused damage and flooding in certain sectors of the municipality. 

Following the heavy rains on June 29, the municipality and the Saint-Jacques disaster victims on the joint task force wanted to learn more about what happened in the area that day, causing damage to more than 200 properties. Jill Maepea, Environment Canada's Warning Awareness Meteorologist, explained that the violent storm of June 29 was the result of a meteorological phenomenon known as air mass convection. 

"In meteorology, convection is the source of a number of atmospheric phenomena that can occur during hot, humid summer weather. In this case, the sun's rays warm the surface of the ground, creating a strong instability in the air mass. This convection leads to the development of clouds, which in turn are responsible for thunderstorms, some of which are very violent. These storms can cause torrential rain, hail and very strong wind gusts. It is very difficult to predict the precise location where thunderstorm cells caused by air mass convection will form, unlike those associated with a cold front, for example. That's why the North-West region didn't get a severe weather warning earlier," explained Jill Maepea. 

The meeting gave the group a better understanding of how radars work and how to interpret the tools and maps available to municipalities when they receive weather forecasts. The meeting also enabled Environment Canada representatives to visit the affected sites and gain a better understanding of the region's particular features.

"We're pleased to have been able to take part in this meeting. We have a better understanding of the very short reaction time that the municipality had during this event, and we have a better understanding of municipal preparedness mechanisms during weather events," explained David Couturier, one of the spokespersons for the residents of the Saint-Jacques sector.

At the September public meeting of the Edmundston City Council, it was resolved to undertake a hydraulic study of the Saint-Jacques sector in order to obtain a complete diagnosis of the storm and sanitary sewer system in the area. The joint task force was set up following the violent storm of June 29. It is made up of representatives of those affected by the storm in the Saint-Jacques sector, municipal employees and a number of elected officials, including Mayor Eric Marquis. 

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CONTACT: Marco Daigle, Assistant Director General, 506.739.2119, marco.daigle@edmundston.ca