An estimated 100 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in the northern parts of New Brunswick due to flooding, with Premier Shawn Graham expected to visit the area Friday.

Major increases to water flows have been reported in Madawaska County since more than 100 millimetres of rain fell in the northern part of the province, southern Quebec and Maine earlier in the week.

The water has been funnelling into the St. John River, which stretches about 670 kilometres from Maine to the port city of Saint John and drains 55,000 square kilometres of land.

The province's Emergency Measures Organization has issued a major flood warning for all people living along the St. John River basin.

In Edmundston, where the St. John River meets the Madawaska River, more than 40 families have left their homes. The Red Cross has also had to move 15 residents from a nursing home in the northwestern New Brunswick city.

The water levels came up so quickly in the area that many residents were unprepared.

Emergency Measures reported on Thursday that the water levels in Edmundston were 143.1 metres above sea level.

Exits from the Trans-Canada Highway leading into the city became engulfed with water and were closed on Thursday. Several roads in Edmundston, Baker Brook and Perth-Andover were closed.

Edmundston city council held an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the flooding. Several residents in the area have complained that the area is not receiving enough attention or support from the provincial government or Emergency Measures.

A training school for people with learning disabilities was flooded by more than a metre of water on Thursday.

It's going to mean a lot of damage to the school of 52 students, said spokesman Dannie Derube.

Derube said it looks as if at least $100,000 worth of equipment and infrastructure in the school were destroyed.

Resident Janine Michaud said she's still in shock by how quickly the water moved into the community.

"We lost a lot of stuff," she said. Michaud said she doesn't expect her insurance to cover any of it, and she doesn't know how she'll pay for replacements herself.

Premier Shawn Graham announced on Thursday that a disaster assistance package would be available to New Brunswickers. The details of the package, which will include a federal contribution, won't be released until after the flood waters recede.

Graham is expected to travel to Madawaska County on Friday to examine the flood damage in the area.

He will also be meeting with Maine Gov. John Baldacci to assess the cross-border damages.

The flood waters in the area are so high that the International Bridge between Clair, N.B., and Fort Kent, Maine, has been closed since Tuesday night. There were fears that the surging waters might drag the bridge down, and it is expected to remain closed until into next week.

Emergency Measures is projecting water levels in the area will begin to level off on Friday.