Deputy Mayor Perplexed Over Storm's Impact

Bill Phillips says one basement might be flooded, the neighbour's got nothing

We're getting a better idea as to how crazy Monday night's storm was in St. Catharines, Virgil, Niagara on the Lake and elsewhere.

Deputy Mayor Bill Phillips has been taking roughly 50 calls since the flood, and then some, noting how nature appeared to pick on certain homes.

He had a woman tell him her basement was flooded.  "She has what's called a flat valve, she has a sump pump that was running, and she still had quite a bit of water in her basement, yet her next door neighbour didn't get anything.  My next door neighbour didn't get anything, on one side, but I did, and my neighbour on the other side had water.... I can't explain it."

He was told the total rainfall for St. Catharines last year was 500mm, Monday night it was 140.

He says he's been in his house for 47-years, with a sewer system built for storms back then.

He admits storms are more intense these days.  "People talk about the infrastructure not being able to handle it.  Well, it's not a case of which sewers can be laid down in a matter of weeks or months, as there's a lot of planning involved, and upheaval."

He says city council will be talking about this storm at its next meeting.

St. Catharines Deputy CAO Erin O'Hoski first encourages everyone impacted to call your private insurance for claims.

She adds the city is working with the region and provincial government.  "For short term, if there are residents who are in immediate need, I know our fire dispatch centre is encouraging residents to reach out to the Ontario Red Cross.  Once we get a better sense of whether people need a higher level of support, if there's any way we can assist in making those connections we most certainly will."   

The city's website shows how to safely remove water from flooded basements.

She says they were in meetings most of the afternoon yesterday, going over ways to help the high volume of calls and emails from people, including with the Niagara Region.  "Understanding from our colleagues at the Niagara Region, and what types of calls they were receiving, any information about how their services were affected.  We want to encourage people to go to Niagara Region website, and their social media channels, and public health for any updates."

She adds if water in your basement has not gone down, call the city.