Dundas waterlogged as downpour swamps town
East Hamilton, Burlington Flamborough also have flooding spots
City crews are expected to be busy responding to flooding calls Friday after more than 25 mm of rainfall soaked the city Thursday night.
While the Hamilton Conservation Authority said in a statement that widespread flooding was not anticipated as a result of the rain, police reported just hours later that they were scrambling to deal with “lots of flooding” across the city.
Dundas was particularly hard hit, with thick muddy water flowing through the downtown. In Burlington, North Service Road was closed due to flooding between Skyview Drive and King Road.
In Dundas, King Street East was shut down between East Street North and West Street, by the Tim Hortons and McDonald’s restaurant, as water overflowed from parallel Sydenham Creek onto the roadway.
“Tim’s is almost underwater,” resident Tina MacEwan reported just after 8 p.m.
Using a minivan in the Tim Hortons parking lot off King Street as a measurement, she noted the water there had risen to bumper height.
“You can’t see the storm drain anymore,” she said of the roadway. “It looks like beavers have built a dam.”
Down the street, Olympic DriveYork Road was also closed between Cootes Drive and Highway 6 due to flooding.
Individual homes too were affected by the rain. On Ravine Drive and Watsons Lane, off York Road, water poured down toward the houses from the Niagara Escarpment.
Thomas Allen, a former resident, stopped by the area Thursday night after the rain started, knowing it is always a hot spot for flooding. And sure enough, Allen captured photos of thick mud slicking the roads there.
“All of Dundas is really bad right now,” he said, noting that a bunch of the neighbours were out trying to build a levee to protect the houses from the flooding.
In Flamborough, police received reports of flooding due to overflowing water at Spencer Creek. Police also advised drivers to avoid Glancaster Road, which was closed at Rymal Road West due to flooding.
And on the other side of the city, drivers posted photos to social media of deep water pooling on Centennial Parkway.
City spokesperson Jasmine Graham said crews were out on the road to respond to the flooding calls.
“Flows reaching the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant have reached the point where it may create some localized flooding in the sewer system in the lower reaches around the area of the plant. It’s difficult to know with certainty where the flooding could occur, but residents should be aware of the potential,” Graham cautioned.
“City staff have been working throughout the day and evening responding to these events and will continue to do so until the rain subsides.”
Coun. Sam Merulla was bracing for issues in his ward, and asked residents to clear storm sewers of debris wherever possible. Residents can call 905-546-CITY.
All of Dundas is really bad right now. THOMAS ALLEN FORMER TOWN RESIDENT