UPDATED: clear drains for melting snow, rain
Mild temperatures, rain in forecast for York Region

Richmond Hill Liberal
February 20, 2014
By Kim Zarzour

Is this 'the new normal’?

With snow mountains melting into sidewalk lakes, and weather forecasters warning of more trouble ahead, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities believes this could be the way of the future.

This winter’s weather extremes show why local government and residents need to pay serious attention to the growing threat of natural and man-made disasters, said Richmond Hill's Godwin Chan, a federation director.

The weather network is advising today that a provincial flood watch is in effect from Windsor to Ottawa, with heavy rain on the way.

That means homeowners and public works workers need to start digging out now to ensure the long cold winter’s build up of ice and snow doesn’t wash away their homes, sidewalks and roads.

Toronto Region Conservation Authority is warning the rain, combined with rising temperatures, will lead to higher than normal water levels and possible ice break-up in our rivers and streams.

Many communities are already reporting flooded sidewalks and roads as public works employees scramble to clear away catchbasins and drains.

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.

With a powerful storm due to hit Ontario later today in the form of thunder, lightning, freezing rain and 15 to 30 mm of rain, driving and walking conditions could get tricky, said the Weather Network’s Doug Gillham.

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

Homeowners are advised to clear a path for the melting, flowing water. 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.

Randall Becker spent yesterday afternoon hacking out the accumulated snow from his street near his Richmond Hill home, and a call to his local councillor brought the town’s front-end loader to clear about 70 cm of ice and snow that had built up over the lowest drain in the area.

Mr. Becker, whose business Nexbridge does disaster planning for companies, said the high banks of snow lining York Region streets present a risk of sudden flooding as water that can’t find escape through plugged catchbasins causes snowbanks to collapse.

Water could also flood buried power transformers which, when mixed with road salt, makes a good conductor. He advises steering clear of transformers until the water drains off.

Power failures and surges are possible. Keep candles handy, and check your batteries, he adds.

Mr. Chan, Ward 6 councillor, said delegates at a recent Canadian Federation of Municipalities conference discussed the growing need for towns and cities to prepare for increasing disasters due to climate change.

The conference recommended homeowners conduct “home adaptation audits” to assess risks for water penetration in the same way home inspections assess structures for new buyers. Municipalities should also conduct mock emergency exercises that focus on high-risk areas, the councillor said.

Infrastructure should take climate change into account, focus on directing rain and stormwater run-off, and plans for new buildings could include green roofing to counteract the greenhouse effect, he said.

Recent disasters such as the ice storm highlighted the importance of communication with the public — especially when power outages impact phone, radio and internet connections.

It’s also a good idea for all Canadians to keep a 72-hour emergency preparation kit handy, he said.

“People used to say, ‘it’ll never happen’, but now we’re paying attention” thanks to floods in Calgary, Toronto, the stranded Richmond Hill GO train and Lac-Megantic disaster, he said.

“A mindset shift has to happen. We have to rethink our priority and focus on emergency preparedness.”

WHERE ARE THOSE STORM DRAINS?
If you need to find yours buried under all the snow, here's a a TIP from a user, Erin: use Google Street — they take their shots in the summer. Clear it out of snow today if you can before the rains come (50 mm expected today and overnight) and save yourself backup flooding problems.