Municipal officials say high winds, and waves from Lake Ontario, have caused flooding on the Toronto Islands.
“The breach of sandbags occurred primarily on the north shore. Some homes are surrounded by water, but residents who sandbagged and have their own pumps are relatively dry. Others may have water in their home’s crawl spaces or up to their doors. Parts of Seneca Avenue have between five and 20 centimetres on the roadway. There is no danger to life and no need to evacuate,” City of Toronto spokesperson Brad Ross wrote on Twitter Thursday evening.
“Further west, water is higher — 30 to 40 centimetres in some cases. Pumps are being strategically located to clear flooded areas. This will take 48 to 72 hours. The focus right now is on the residential community.”
WATCH: Toronto Island resident says flooding left some people scared
As of Thursday evening, Ross said nonessential vehicles will not be allowed on the islands until late Sunday at the earliest in order to ensure sandbagging efforts and water pumping efforts can proceed without obstruction. He said people can still access the islands by ferries and water taxis, noting the school and Centre Island remain open too.
At the beginning of the month, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a shoreline hazard warning as water levels in Lake Ontario have been gradually raising throughout the spring.
Ross previously told Global News City staff were taking “preventative measures” to try to prevent flooding, “including pre-pumping of low lying areas, readying 20 industrial water pumps to have in case they are needed, and filling sandbags and pre-positioning for easy deployment.”
WATCH:
Toronto official explains flooding impact to Toronto Island
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