FLOODING FRUSTRATES LOCAL BUSINESSES
Drivers abandoned cars because of riverlike conditions on Patillo Road
Parking lots turned into lakes and water levels threatened to submerge work facilities Thursday morning during unprecedented flooding — resulting in big problems for businesses across Windsor and Tecumseh.
“I have never seen flooding to this extent on this property,” said Debra McVeety, general manager of Tecumseh Mall.
“We had a couple vehicles that had to be towed … (the water) was probably close to the windows.”
The mall’s parking lot was so swamped that McVeety closed the mall Thursday — affecting 55 business tenants.
Also affected were nearby businesses such as Smoke & Spice Southern Barbecue, East Side Mario’s and the LCBO.
“It is a shame, but our concern is always going to be the safety of our customers and the safety of our tenants,” McVeety said.
She noted that concerns about the water in the parking lot were so significant that Windsor police blocked the lot’s entrances.
“We weren’t the only ones,” McVeety said, pointing to similar problems at business properties along Manning Road.
Despite the volume of water at its doorsteps, Tecumseh Mall had only minor water damage inside.
McVeety said the mall should be back to its normal operating hours Friday.
“That’s the plan. It appears that the water has receded at this point.”
Further east, in the industrial areas of Patillo Road in Tecumseh, some plant employees emerged from overnight shifts to find their vehicles stuck in water up to the wheel wells.
Those who managed to move their vehicles didn’t get far: the conditions of Advance Boulevard off Patillo Road were riverlike, forcing several drivers to abandon their cars.
Mike Magri, plant manager at Magna’s Integram Seating facility on Patillo Road, said no shifts had to be cancelled.
“We’re managing,” he said. “The roads are the worst part of it.”
Windsor’s west end wasn’t spared. At Bhullar Imports on Crawford Avenue, warehouse owner Gurbax Bhullar had to put his operations on hold because his truck-loading dock resembled a pier.
“Look at all the water,” Bhullar lamented, his feet bare to avoid soaking his shoes.
“My docks are going to be damaged.”
“We cannot do our work. I cannot load my trucks. I cannot do anything.”
Bhullar said it’s not the first time he’s been frustrated by flooding on his property — but Thursday morning was a new level of frustration.
He suspects that water has been flowing in from other properties: the massive Canadian Pacific Railway yard is his immediate neighbour. “There is drainage over there, under the railway tracks,” Bhullar. “They are draining onto my property.”
“I am the one in the end who is impacted.… All my day is gone.”