Flooding prompts state of emergency in Ontario communities of Windsor and Tecumseh

WINDSOR, Ont. – The mayors of the southwestern Ontario communities of Windsor and Tecumseh have declared states of emergency as they deal with flooding caused by heavy rain.

With numerous basements and roads flooded, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told a news conference Thursday that a state of emergency was declared to get access to support from higher levels of government.

In Tecumseh, where officials say 190 millimetres of rain has fallen since Wednesday night, Mayor Gary McNamara declared an emergency, noting that all pumping stations were operating at maximum capacity and more rain was expected.

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Environment Canada says several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue to affect Essex County into Friday, with additional rainfall amounts expected to be in the 40 to 70mm range.

They say the normal rainfall amount for the whole month of September in Windsor-Essex is about 94mm.

Provincial police say many roads in the Tecumseh area have been flooded and are urging drivers to avoid flooded areas, and they also say parents should keep children away from water runoff areas, rivers, creeks and streams.

The Chatham-Kent area also is receiving significant rainfall, and Environment Canada says rainfall amounts of 30 to 60 mm are forecast by Friday evening for much of the region.

Tecumseh Transit has suspended travel until the weather clears, so the buses won’t be operating until further notice.

In Windsor, police were asking drivers to be extra cautious on city roads and were setting up barricades on flooded roads and towing stranded vehicles.

Residents with pumps were being urged to pump the water onto the surface of their property, as pumping it into the sewer as more water could overwhelm the system already running near capacity.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority said that, due to predicted winds of up to 45 km/h, there was a possibility of flooding, shoreline erosion and damaging waves along the Lake St. Clair shoreline that could affect Windsor, Tecumseh and Lakeshore.

Also, due to the predicted wind speed and duration, areas along the Detroit River may experience increased water levels due to the lake setup.