Open this photo in gallery Rescue workers help Jocelyne and Jean-Pierre Martin retrieve some belongings from their flooded home, Tuesday, April 30. Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press While floodwaters in Eastern Canada appear to be stabilizing a major new threat is looming on the horizon that could extend the crisis in Quebec and Ontario well into the spring. Lake Ontario has reached flood level and officials issued warnings to shoreline residents Tuesday that water will continue to rise into May or June. All that water flows downstream to the Montreal region where thousands are flooded and measuring stations along the St. Lawrence River are already approaching or exceeding 2017 flood levels. The international board that controls the Moses-Saunders Power Dam near Cornwall, Ont., boosted the flow downstream a small amount Monday to relieve pressure on Lake Ontario. The current flooding that chased more than 13,600 Canadians from their homes struck Quebeckers most severely along the Ottawa River system, which joins the St. Lawrence near Montreal. Story continues below advertisement The fresh information left Quebeckers with dramatically conflicting messages from Ottawa and Quebec City. “The water levels will continue to rise so we’re not out of the woods yet at all in Quebec,” said federal Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale during his Tuesday national flood briefing. Meanwhile Premier François Legault’s government told Quebeckers the worst is behind them. “Since the situation is improving we will turn our attention to the victims,” Mr. Legault said. “We are going in the right direction.” Provincial Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault added “the worst is behind us in terms of flooding and evacuations but now we’re starting a long recovery phase.” How effective are sandbags? A look at the flood-prevention tool that has become the first line of defence Editorial: Canada could avoid flood damage – if we had better flood maps Authorities annoyed by ‘disaster tourists’ snapping selfies in flooded Montreal areas Mr. Goodale, who was briefing reporters on the national flood scene, insisted it is too early to declare victory. “Lake Ontario is just about to get to its maximum normal runoff,” he said. “All of that obviously has to flow east combining with the flow that’s coming down the Ottawa. That presents significant potential issues in relation to Montreal and places further downstream. We’re watching that situation very carefully.” He added that precipitation predicted for coming days, which could include up to 50 millimetres of rain north of Lake Ontario and 20 millimetres of rain or 10 centimetres of snow in Quebec, could also worsen conditions in both provinces. The potential for Lake Ontario water exacerbating the Quebec flood echoes 2017, when officials struggled to balance flooding on the lake with flooding downstream. The current Ottawa River flooding has already pushed high-water marks above 2017 all along the path between eastern Ontario and Montreal. Story continues below advertisement And the water was still rising in a few parts of the flood zone Tuesday. Residents of the Quebec village of Quyon, 60 kilometres northwest of Ottawa, were among several hundred evacuated from low-lying areas in the region as one dike became unstable with the water still projected to rise a final 20 centimetres by Thursday. Tony Joyce and his mother, Bernadette Milks, were among the last holdouts watching the Quyon and Ottawa Rivers rise on three sides of the village while workers tried to reinforce a threatened dike. Mr. Joyce, whose house sits on a ridge on the outskirts of Quyon, said the water was still two metres below the level where it would cause his home real distress. But basements are already full of water in lower parts of town and officials are worried the sewer and water systems would fail if the dike fails. “It’s wet out there, but it’s nothing new for us,” Mr. Joyce said in an interview. Joanne Labadie, the mayor of the Pontiac municipality that includes Quyon, said major uncertainty remains. “We don’t know what’s going to happen next,” she said. “We’ve passed 2017 levels and we’re in the unknown.” Over all, across Quebec more than 10,000 people were still out of 6,704 flooded homes on Tuesday. About one quarter of those victims are in Quebec’s Outaouais region that includes Gatineau and extends northwest of Ottawa. Officials said it would be at least a week and possibly two before the crisis subsides. Floodwaters were draining in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que., the scene of a dramatic flash flood and evacuation on the weekend after a dike broke. Temporary dikes and pumping stations were slowly draining a large portion of the floodwaters that rushed in overnight Saturday. Story continues below advertisement Some 6,500 people left 2,500 homes during that evacuation, but local officials had good news Tuesday, saying only 867 homes were flooded among them. However, people still have to wait to return to 1,485 of the undamaged homes because water, sewer and electricity remain knocked out. “There are important health concerns until we get the services back,” Mayor Sonia Paulus said. People in the dry and drained zone were allowed to return home briefly to take stock and collect valuables. Water levels were dropping in Ontario cottage country and New Brunswick. In northern New Brunswick, the water dropped below flood levels by midday Tuesday and were on their way down in the battered southern swath of the Saint John River basin. Greg MacCallum, director of the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization, said most regions along the river system should be out of the flood stage by the end of the week. Story continues below advertisement But the province is still far from a return to normal, he warned. “We’re turning a corner and I think that’s obvious to everybody. But it’s a long corner,” he said. “This flood isn’t over yet. It’s not time to relax.” With a report from Jessica Leeder in Halifax<doc-sep>Why is the water so damned high? Why didn't they release more water last fall? Where are the missing commissioners? Why doesn't Canada have a dam on the Ottawa River? It’s deja vu all over again on the shore of Lake Ontario, where residents are laying out sandbags, putting away lawn furniture and cursing the powers that be in preparation for possible flooding. Two years ago, of course, the worst flooding in modern times struck the shoreline of our giant Great Lake. Waves destroyed breakwalls, surged over decks and infiltrated homes, garages and nearby streets. No one died and no serious injuries were reported, but damage to property in New York and the Canadian province of Ontario totaled in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Some shoreline residents were financially shattered. For others, it was more of a summerlong inconvenience. The episode, the first serious shoreline inundation in 25 years, reawakened old debates: Was it nature or government inaction that made the water rise? How much responsibility should fall on the people who chose to live on the shore of a lake that periodically floods?<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email TORONTO – Ontario is creating a task force on improving the province’s resilience to flooding, following high water levels this spring in several communities. Premier Doug Ford and Natural Resources Minister John Yakabuski said in a statement that the government will work to better plan for and reduce the impacts of flooding. “Over the past couple of weeks, we have seen first-hand the devastating effect of flooding on our communities,” they said in the statement Friday. “The people of Ontario can’t go through this every year. Something needs to change.” The task force will consult with municipalities, including in the Muskoka region, Pembroke and the Ottawa Valley. Ontario has activated a disaster recovery assistance program for residents in Bracebridge, Huntsville, Pembroke, Renfrew County, Ottawa, Clarence-Rockland, Champlain and Alfred and Plantagenet. Story continues below advertisement WATCH: Canadian health authorities warn of some health risks as residents return after flooding 2:17 Canadian health authorities warn of some health risks as residents return after flooding Canadian health authorities warn of some health risks as residents return after flooding – May 4, 2019 The program helps cover emergency expenses and the costs to repair or replace essential property not covered by insurance after a natural disaster. The task force announcement comes not long after the Progressive Conservative government cut conservation authorities’ funding for flood management in half. Conservation authorities forecast flooding and issue warnings, monitor stream flow, regulate development activities in flood plains, educate the public about flooding and protect natural cover that helps reduce the impacts of flooding. Ontario had given $7.4 million to the conservation authorities for that work, but they say that has now been reduced by 50 per cent. Story continues below advertisement Yakabuski has said the government is trying to eliminate the deficit – currently at $11.7 billion – and has asked conservation authorities to focus on their core mandate, which includes flood control. WATCH: Residents and cottagers on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence river brace for flooding 2:08 Residents and cottagers on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence river brace for flooding Residents and cottagers on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence river brace for flooding – May 9, 2019<doc-sep>
Administrator | May 09, 2019 | Comments 0 Lake Ontario water levels have been gradually rising over the last few weeks. Forecasted rain tonight and early next week will contribute to a change toward more rapidly rising water levels. Quinte Conservation continues its ‘flood watch’ status which includes Prince Edward County while the Lower Trent Region Conservation Area maintains a ‘flood warning’ in its area including Quinte West and Northumberland. “As of May 8, 2019, Lake Ontario was recorded at 55 cm above average for this time of year, which is 21 cm below the recorded level for May 8, 2017,” said Christine McClure, Quinte Conservation’s Water Resources Manager. “This amount is 33 cm below the peak recorded on May 25, 2017.” She notes Lake Ontario water levels are influenced by uncontrolled, above average outflows from Lake Erie, and local rainfall and runoff throughout the Lake Ontario Watershed, and reduced Lake Ontario outflows, in order to balance flooding impacts on the St. Lawrence River. “Record breaking water levels for this time of year have been recorded for Lake Erie. Above average precipitation was received across the Great Lakes over the past three months. Flood conditions continue on the lower St. Lawrence River.” High winds and waves are forecasted from Thursday to Saturday morning. Winds are veering east to south east this evening, and will move south overnight and then will change direction again, moving west from Friday afternoon into Saturday morning. “Waves are forecasted to exceed one metre in height. Residents are reminded that high winds, storm surges, and waves can cause shoreline damage and wave uprush.” “Outflows from Lake Ontario have increased as water levels rose. The current provisional forecasts suggest that Lake Ontario outflows will be increased by early next week.” McClure said flooding and other high water impacts have been reported from areas of Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River during periods of strong winds. Shoreline residents are advised to either secure or remove loose items from their properties where there is a risk of encroaching flood water. Boaters need to be cautious of floating debris and should take proper safety precautions when out on the water. As a precautionary measure, the municipality is offering sandbags to residents who believe their primary residence is at risk of flooding. “We encourage residents to be respectful of their neighbours when picking up supplies and only sandbag if their home is at risk of flooding,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. Sandbags are available at the following locations: – 15 Coleman Street in Ameliasburgh – 75 County Road 1, Hallowell (Sandy Hook Dome) – 15 Coleman Street in Ameliasburgh – Waupoos Community Centre, 2699 County Road 8 in North Marysburgh – South Marysburgh Fire Hall, 3076 County Road 10 – Hiscock Shores Road cul-de-sac in Hillier – Sunrise Drive cul-de-sac in Ameliasburgh Sandbags are available daily between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm. The sandbags are self-serve, and residents must bring their own shovels to fill bags.