Flood warning for the weekend

Local conservation authorities are issuing a Weather Warning for the weekend. And while thankfully it’s not a cold weather alert, it could still cause some damage. Municipalities across the Golden Horseshoe are bracing themselves for a challenging weekend. Temperatures are expected to rise to well above zero which means potential flooding on roads, flood plains and in basements.

Not only will the rising temperatures cause a problem but we’re also expecting as much as 25 millimeters of rain which will only make potential flooding worse. So here are some tips on how to prevent flooding in and around your home.

Spencer Creek in Dundas is already showing signs of what’s to come. The rise in temperature will continue in to the weekend allowing waterways to flow freely again.

The Hamilton conservation authority is warning people and their pets to stay away from creeks rivers and flood plains. Because of this weekend’s warming period, ice will thaw and banks will be very slippery.

Hazel Breton is with the Hamilton Conservation Authority: “On top of that were going to get 10-15 mm of rain potentially which will add to the thawing. The ice in some places is quite thick but generally speaking when you get thawing like this the ice tends to crack.”

The ice you do want to crack is the kind that’s covering catch basins. The City of Hamilton is asking residents to clear them to prevent flooding. Dan McKinnon is Wasterwater Operations Director with the City of Hamilton: “One of the challenges we have in warm weather like this in the middle of January is the increase flow of the sewer system which may create a circumstance of surcharge which could back up in to peoples basements.”

If you haven’t already got one, the city suggests you install this backwater valve.

Dan said: “In an event that the city’s sewer backs up this way, this valve will lift up and will close so that’ll prevent sewage from coming in to your home.”

Some other things you can do to protect your home from flooding

Clear your eavestroughs for proper water flow away from your home.

But if you’re worried your basement may still flood, the electrical safety authority suggests you unplug electrical items and elevate them.