Warning: clear drains for melting snow, rain

Mild temperatures, rain in forecast for York Region

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 19, 2014
By Kim Zarzour

It’s been a long time coming, but the thaw is finally here - and with that, comes danger.

Environment Canada is forecasting a weather system that may bring 30 to 40 mm of rainfall with possible thunderstorms - yes, thunderstorms - starting Thursday night through Friday morning.

The rain, combined with rising temperatures, means higher than normal water levels and possible ice break-up in our rivers and streams, representatives from Toronto Region Conservation Authority warn.

Slippery and unstable snow banks, unsafe ice and extremely cold water temperature will create very hazardous conditions close to any river, stream or other water bodies and a possibility of flooding on roadways and in low-lying areas.

While the snowfall this winter has been average, there have been no mild spells to wash it away, said Ryan Ness, the authority’s chief flood duty officer. The ice that built up in December’s ice storm poses further challenges.

Add to that a rainfall tomorrow, and it could get very messy and wet.

And that means you have a job to do.

Not only should you keep children, and yourself, away from rivers and streams and all bodies of water, but it’s time to get out the shovels and start clearing a path for all that melting, flowing water, he said.

Check out your downspouts, catchbasins and eavestroughs to be sure they’re clear, and move accumulated snow away from your home’s foundation. Insurance doesn’t always cover the damage.

That’s what Randall Becker was doing this afternoon. The Richmond Hill resident was enjoying the sunny day, while hacking out the accumulated snow from his street near Mill Pond park.

“If anyone is wondering where I will be today, I am outside hunting for the one lonely storm drain in our area under the mountains of snow,” he posted on Facebook around noon. “With 30-50 mm of precipitation coming, our area is going to turn into a lake.”

He found one clogged drain on the street, another above the curb in the grass. “That one is surrounded by a nice snow mountain range,” he said.

Mr. Becker also contacted his local councillor, David West, to warn him of the danger and the town sent a front-end loader to clear approximately 70 cm of ice and snow that had built up over the lowest drain in the area.

After clearing the other drains leading to that low point, Mr. Becker feels confident that his street, at least, will fare well.

“But I wouldn’t want to be near the Mill Pond when this thing hits. It’s going to bad in there, in the flood plain in the upper area.”

Mr. Becker, whose business Nexbridge does disaster planning for companies, said he is always on the lookout for areas that are vulnerable.

He pointed to the high banks of snow lining York Region streets this winter. It wouldn’t take much for those mountains to collapse, he said. As rain and snow melt fills areas where drains are plugged, “the water seeps underneath and the whole snow bank falls apart and if you’re downhill, that can really throw you for a loop”.

Staff at the Conservation Authority, meanwhile, is continuing to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue further statements and advisories, as required.