Burlington, Ont., residents deal with aftermath of flood as city remains in emergency

Burlington, Ont., is recovering from an extreme amount of rain that flooded homes and roads earlier this week, triggering an emergency response.

The Halton region conservation authority estimates the area experienced about 75 mm of rain on Tuesday, which overwhelmed its storm water system, it said in a news release. It’s issued a flood warning as all watercourses are “significantly elevated” and the soil is saturated from rain that came earlier on Monday, leading to water run off.

“Municipalities, emergency services and individuals landowners in flood-prone areas should remain on alert,” Conservation Halton said. 

The City of Burlington declared a “Level 2” emergency late Tuesday afternoon in response to the rains. The emergency response allows for city staff to co-ordinate with “local and regional partners” to respond in “real-time” to residents’ calls for service, the city says. 

Tim Dyson was driving a waste collection truck in Burlington Tuesday when sky darkened and the storm began. The streets began to flood.

“I remember not wanting to take our truck through it as I didn’t want to push any water into people’s basements,” Dyson told CBC Hamilton. “I would say the water was at least two-feet deep where we were and all the residents were outside in disbelief.” 

Aaron Byrne lives in north Burlington’s Brant Hills neighbourhood, near Dundas Street and Guelph Line, that was heavily impacted by the rain. His basement flooded with muddy water and dealing with it has been a “stressful” experience, he said. 

“It’s pretty crazy,” Byrne said. 

Roshan Basnet, who also lives in the area, watched as with water filled the streets, his backyard and his neighbours’ homes, he said. It looked like a scene from a movie. 

“It’s unbelievable when you think about rainfall causing this big of a problem,” Basnet said. “It’s not like a hurricane hit us.”

Basnet’s basement didn’t flood as his house is slightly elevated, he said. However, his neighbours are dealing with flooded basements and have stacked belongings on their front porches to dry out.

Flooding experienced across GTA

Parts of Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Toronto were the hardest hit by rainfall, said Geoff Coulson, an Environment Canada meteorologist. 

Pearson International Airport in Mississauga picked up 97 mm of rain Tuesday — the fifth highest significant rainfall recorded, Coulson said.

The impacts of flooding in Toronto were substantial. Flash floods closed highways and people were rescued from cars submerged in water. Power was knocked out for thousands of residents and firefighters helped dozens of people trapped in elevators.

Hamilton also saw significant rainfall Tuesday with about 50 mm recorded at the airport, Coulson said.

But the city experienced less flooding. 

The Hamilton Conservation Authority put in place a flood warning on Tuesday, but only a couple of roads near Spencer Creek in Flamborough had flooded. 

Emergency response continues

As of Wednesday midday, Burlington remained at a “Level 2” emergency indicating the flooding had “minor impacts” to public safety, property and the environment, the city said. 

Staff are clearing debris from waterways, doing repair work on city property, visiting “hot spot locations” to monitor water levels and responding to calls for service, said Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in a statement. Most roads have reopened.  

“My own home and property have been impacted by the flooding, so I empathize deeply with the distress this situation has caused and the questions surrounding where we go from here,” Ward said. 

The city also said all baseball diamonds and natural grass sports fields would be closed Wednesday because most are covered with water. All artificial fields remain open.  

The City of Burlington spent $20 million on its storm water management after a massive flood in 2014. That flood saw the city’s catch basins overflow, with some becoming clogged. Much of Burlington was underwater including hundreds of homes.

Ward said on Tuesday the city’s updated system did make a difference, even though flooding still occurred and more improvements will be made as council continues to increase its infrastructure budget.   

“We also know that the impacts of climate change result in warmer, wetter and wilder weather and the storms we’re seeing are part of that,” Ward said. 

Residents are asked to report to the city any damaged or flooded roadways, fallen trees or debris on public property. 

Those who’ve experienced flooding on private property or sewer backups can call the Halton Region by dialing 311.

If water has risen above electrical outlets, the city recommends residents consider shutting off their hydro and calling their utility provider. 

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