Andy Morton (left), deputy director of the province's Emergency Measures Organization, and Dick Isabelle of the Department of Public Safety say a declaration of emergency is not necessary because the flooding of the St. John River wasn't unexpected. (Communications New Brunswick)

As water levels in the St. John River approach record highs, New Brunswick safety officials say declaring a state of emergency would not change the assistance already being provided to residents in the soggy province.

Dick Isabelle, the executive director of police, fire and emergency services for the Department of Public Safety, explained during a public briefing Wednesday that the purpose of declaring a state of emergency is to force a reaction if governments or organizations are not working together to address a situation.

In this case, he said, public safety, the government and emergency organizations are all working together to help those in need without a declaration.

"As long as people are reacting appropriately … there is really no need to enact [a state of emergency]," he said.

Andy Morton, deputy director of the province's Emergency Measures Organization, said a state of emergency is meant to be used in response to a sudden catastrophic event. Officials all said the floods, while an emergency, were not unexpected.

Morton noted there is no need to have a state of emergency declared for EMO to enact measures to ensure the safety of New Brunswickers.

He also said that declaring a state of emergency would do little to change the level of emergency response already being provided.

"We are consistently monitoring the response to the event," he said.

Earlier Wednesday, as water lapped near the legislature, the opposition called for the government to declare a state of emergency.

Before the legislature was closed for the weekend due to the water, Public Safety Minister John Foran said, "We're certainly not at a state of emergency level," but noted the province is in an emergency situation.

Declaring a state of emergency would allow the province to move people out of their homes against their will if necessary. Tory MLA Wayne Steeves, who called for the declaration, later said he would not want to force anyone to move.

Heavy rainfall earlier this week in parts of northern New Brunswick, Maine and southern Quebec has put more than 1,300 Fredericton area homes at risk from the surging St. John River. More than 460 people had registered with the Red Cross by Thursday morning after voluntarily leaving their homes.

New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization has issued a major flood warning for all people living along the basin.

Maine declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night and more than 100 homes were evacuated in the Fort Kent area.