Ontario
Evacuation Ordered for Brantford, ON
A parade of weather systems in combination with several factors, including record warmth, frozen ground/snowmelt, and ice-jams, have led to flooding along riverside watersheds across Southern Ontario.
The City of Brantford has been hit especially hard this morning, where a State of Emergency has been issued.
Evacuation Order
City officials have issued Evacuation Orders for any street identified in the following floodplain: Foster, Cayuga, Aberdeen, Strathcona, Pontiac, Tecumseh, Ontario, Port, Eagle Ave, Robertson, Dover and Baldwin.
— Todd Hewitson (@toddhewi) February 21, 2018
EMERGENCY NEWS ALERT: In response to current watershed flooding conditions, Brantford residents, schools and businesses in the areas of Holmedale, West Brant and Eagle Place should be on alert to evacuate. Further notice will be provided in the next 30 minutes.
— City of Brantford (@CityofBrantford) February 21, 2018
“The peak flow at the Galt stream gauge… Concession Street in Cambridge reached 1,100 m3/s…result in flooding…Grand River between Cambridge and Brantford…
An ice jam…in the City of Brantford… Levels are similar…1996 ice jam.”https://t.co/IEG5k52kOp#ONStorm #ONwx
— TransCanada Weather (@TransCANWeather) February 21, 2018
Residents are urged to evacuate these areas of the city until water levels recede and the Evacuation Order is lifted.
High Water Levels Across Much Of Southern Ontario
All communities along river-side watersheds and their tributaries throughout Southern Ontario, are urged to monitor local watches, warnings and statements from their local Conservation Authority. Flood warnings remain in affect for many watersheds who are dealing with flood conditions.
Flood Statements: https://www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program
The flood concern is expected to peak early this afternoon (Wednesday), when cooler temperatures and drier air arrives. A brief period of freezing rain north of the GTA, will make efforts challenging for cleanup crews who are working tirelessly pumping water to ease residential flooding.
#grandriver at 9am and then at 10am #Caledonia #ONstorm @weathernetwork @HaldimandWthr @grandriverca @haldimandpress pic.twitter.com/5nH4xjvzwf
— Dan Meyer (@Dannyrocketship) February 21, 2018
I've covered #flooding on the #GrandRiver in the past – in 2009 and 2011 – at both Dunnville-Port Maitland and Cayuga. The ice can really jam up at Cayuga under the bridge over the river. And the flows at the Dunnville dam are very high. @grandriverca pic.twitter.com/L72s2SgDGA
— Dave Johnson (@DaveJTheTrib) February 20, 2018
What Caused The Flooding?
A persistent High pressure ridge off the coast of Bermuda is responsible for channeling Gulf moisture and record warmth that led to this early “spring like” flooding event across Southern Ontario.
