Flood Waters Recede From Chatham-Kent

By Matt Flood

Flood waters have receded in Chatham-Kent but many residents are left with thousands of dollars in damages.

Water from the Thames River rose out into streets, homes and businesses of Chatham-Kent and Thamesville last week between Feb. 23 and Feb. 24. The flood caused home evacuations and prompted rescue efforts from the fire department. Plans are being made by the municipality of Chatham-Kent to deal with the mess.

Chatham-Kent mayor Randy Hope declared a state of emergency Feb. 23 as information from the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority warned of flooding. The LCTVA works to watch over the Thames River and work with communities located between Delaware, Ontario and Lake St. Clair.

The flooding was caused by melting snow and heavy rainfall on the Thames River watershed.

The water peaked at 5.25 metres around 9 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Chatham and by Feb. 27 the municipality of Chatham-Kent announced waters had decreased significantly.

The intensity of the flooding came as a surprise for some residents.

“When the flooding first happened, I figured we were safe because of the location of my house and then as it started getting closer and coming up I still didn’t overly worry about it,” said Trish Duffield, a 39 year old Chatham tenant. “It was overnight Friday night because they (her children) woke up downstairs at 6:30 in the morning to it starting. It was panic, it was shock and a kind of defeated feeling.”

While some people coped with flooded basements, others needed rescuing

“We had a rescue down the road and it was awesome,” said Duffield. “It appeared well coordinated, the fire department was very helpful making sure that everybody was okay and ensuring that if we needed help they could help us.”

Around 13 people were rescued by emergency services in the event, but those who evacuated their homes or were rescued needed a place to go.

The John D. Bradley Centre was opened at noon Feb. 23 as an emergency shelter by the municipality for anyone in affected areas with nowhere to go. Residents were informed to bring 72 hours worth of medication and personal items as high waters were expected to be present for the next three days. The centre acted as a shelter until Feb. 25.

Despite the dangers, damages and difficulties of the flood, the systems put in place to protect the town worked well, as strained as they were. Director of Engineering and Transportation Services, Adam Sullo, said the recent flood was similar in severity to the Chatham flood of 1985 where the flooding was widespread, reaching into South Chatham. After the 1985 flood more systems were put in place to lessen any future flood impact.

“Certainly, the controls that were put in place worked, the diking that exists and the pumping station that exists worked to alleviate it,” said Sullo.

The flood caught the attention of the provincial government. Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Mauro toured the affected regions of the Thames River flood. He met with community members, volunteers and emergency responders. Provincial officials will be assessing flood damages this week to decide what provincial disaster programs will be available to those affected.

The municipality of Chatham-Kent is currently devising a plan to clear flood-damaged debris from the affected areas.