City, Environment Canada warn of significant rainfall tomorrow

Residents can expect another wet day on Friday, Apr. 26, 2019, and should plan ahead in case of localized flooding, according to the City of Kingston.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Thursday, Apr. 25, 2019 advising of another significant rainfall for Friday.

“Rain, heavy at times, will move into Central and Eastern Ontario overnight and continue into Friday evening. Total rainfall amounts of 25 to 40 millimetres are forecast by late Friday night,” the statement reads.

“Flood messaging is in effect for much of Central and Eastern Ontario. This heavy rain is associated with a Texas low that will track across Southern Ontario on Friday.”

With more rain on the way, the City’s Office of Emergency Management said localized flooding is possible, and is asking residents to have a plan in place.

“While wide-spread flooding is not expected in Kingston at this time, it’s important for all residents to be aware of what steps they can take to protect their home, family and pets,” said Brandi Timpson, Manager of Emergency Preparedness for the City of Kingston.

Timpson is encouraging homeowners to do the following:

• Make sure basement windows and ground level doors are properly sealed
• Ensure downspouts are directed to drain well away from your home.
• Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains. (Utilities Kingston’s Preventative Plumbing program offers financial assistance to qualified homeowners for projects like these.)
• Move important documents and items of value out of the basement.

In a watershed conditions report issued by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) on Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2019, the conservation authority reported that water levels measured at Kingston that day were 75.22 m, which is 0.8 m below the Lake Ontario 100-year flood elevation of 76.0 m.

The current level of the St. Lawrence River measured at Brockville is 75.10 m. This is 0.7 m below the 100-year level of 75.8 metres in that area along the River. The high water levels seen in 2017 were above 75.8 m on Lake Ontario and 75.5 m on St. Lawrence River, measured in Kingston and Brockville respectively. It was at these 2017 levels that significant dock and boat ramp submersions, and some impacts to dwellings, started to occur.

For information concerning flooding, please consult the CRCA or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry District office at 613-544-9264 or find real-time water levels by clicking here.

For information from Utilities Kingston on what to do if you basement floods, click here.

For information from Utilities Kingston on the Preventative Plumbing Program, click here.