Water levels are receding in New Brunswick but the province's Emergency Measures Organization is continuing its flood warning.

In a press release on Friday, the EMO said the flood warning would continue for the Grand Lake area and down the St. John River basin from Sheffield to the port city of Saint John.

People living or working along all streams, tributaries and rivers in the lower St. John River valley should remain on alert throughout the weekend, as much of the river remains above flood level, according to the release.

Rainfall on Thursday had some effect on water levels, but the decreasing trend as flood water drains into the Bay of Fundy is continuing, said EMO.

Rain is in the forecast for the weekend, but is not expected to make a significant change for the St. John River, according to the release.

About 30 sections of roads in the province remained closed on Friday because of flooding. Fifteen of the roads are in the Saint John area.

On Friday, 175 NB Power customers were still without power as the province continues to clean up after the flooding.

The flooding of the St. John River, which spans from Maine to Saint John, began with the spring snowmelt but was compounded by heavy rainfall last week.

1,000 requests for flood damage assistance

Emergency crews and Red Cross officials are continuing to visit homes in the Saint John area, said Nancy Moar, spokeswoman for EMO in the city.

Red Cross volunteers are providing New Brunswickers with information regarding recovery efforts and water-testing kits.

More than 1,000 people have already applied for the province's financial assistance for flood victims.

Homeowners are eligible for up to $80,000 in compensation after paying a $1,000 deductible.

Businesses and farms have a $5,000 deductible and can be compensated for 100 per cent of damage claims up to $100,000 and 75 per cent beyond that.

The province is not yet estimating how much damage the flood has caused in the province, but it is expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars, said the Public Safety Department.

Some contractors are already booked through the season as families call about home repairs, said Karsent Curtis, president of the Canadian Homebuilders Association in the Fredericton area.

Mike Thurber runs a tree removal business in the Fredericton area. He said he's had to hire extra staff and has begun working weekends to keep up with requests for cleanup work following the flood.

"People have trees in their yard where the roots have been exposed and undermined by the rushing waters and stuff and pose quite a threat to people's houses," Thurber said.

Emergency Measures is forecasting the following water levels:

• In Fredericton, the water level is expected to rise slightly to 6.5 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 6.5 metres.
• In Maugerville, the water level is expected to recede to 5.9 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 6.0 metres.
• In Jemseg, the water level is expected to recede to 5.2 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 4.3 metres.
• In Grand Lake, the water level is expected to recede to 5.2 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 5.0 metres.
• In Sheffield-Lakeville Corner, the water level is expected to recede to 5.3 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 4.8 metres.
• In Oak Point, the water level is expected to reach 4.7 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 4.7 metres.
• In Quispamsis and Saint John, the water level is expected to recede to 4.5 metres by Saturday. Flood stage is 4.2 metres.