PEC State of Emergency update: Water may peak within a week
Sue Capon | May 19, 2017 | Comments 0
UPDATE MAY 18 – A Flood Warning remains in effect for shorelines along the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in the Quinte Conservation watersheds.
“Based on the best available information from the federal government it appears Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte may peak within a week,” said Christine McClure, Water Resources Manager at Quinte Conservation. “As long as there is minimal rainfall, we could see a peak on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte in the next several days.”
Unfortunately McClure says this does not mean immediate relief for those on the shorelines of Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte.
“To date, over 54,000 sandbags have been provided and they will continue to be available over the long weekend,” said Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff. (See pick up locations below)
“We could still see increasing water levels of up to 30 centimetres on shorelines due to winds and wave action. Once the levels do peak, it will still take some time for them to recede as they gradually decline over the summer and into the fall.”
McClure said Quinte Conservation has been receiving many reports of carp making their way into the floodwaters. (See video below)
“It is natural for them to spawn in shallow, warm water this time of year. Our staff will not be making any rescue attempts for the carp.”
Pedestrians and cyclists are advised floodwater may be deeper and faster flowing than it appears and often contains hidden snags and debris. Parents and caregivers should keep children well away from floodwaters.
Quinte Conservation staff continue to monitor conditions. More information on Quinte Conservation at www.quinteconservation.ca
UPDATE MAY 19 – BOAT LAUNCHES Due to high water levels, The County of Prince Edward has closed or restricted access at municipal boat launches. Water levels will need to subside significantly before the required repairs can be made to any damaged docks and before full use of the docks can resume.
Boaters should take note of the “open / closed” status of the following municipally operated boat launches (see map attached):
· Wellington Beach Boat Launch – Beach Street – CLOSED
· Wellington Marina Boat Lunch – Belleville Street – OPEN
· Picton Marina Boat Launch – Bridge Street – OPEN
· Mabel Kleinsteuber Boat Launch – County Rd 12 – CLOSED
· Consecon Boat Launch – Novotny Court – CLOSED
· Northport Launch – Boat Centennial Park, County Rd 15 – CLOSED
· Prinyer’s Cove Boat Launch – County Rd 7 – CLOSED
· Weller’s Bay Boat Launch – Edward Drive – CLOSED
· Rossmore Launch – Ridley Street – RESTRICTED ACCESS TO DOCK
· Glendon Green Launch – Off County Rd 18 – OPEN
Dozens of large Carp have moved into flooded areas on Blake and Sandy Vader’s East Lake property in Prince Edward County. More active when spawning in the spring, they feed on terrestrial insects and earthworms. – phone video by Dale Miller
Residents asked to be proactive
UPDATE MAY 16 – With water levels on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte continuing to rise, property owners – especially those in low-lying areas or along shorelines – are encouraged to be proactive in taking precautions to protect their health, home and property.
“The reality is that water is rising and it is expected to continue rising for the next several weeks,” said Mayor Robert Quaiff. “Filled sandbags are available and I can’t stress enough the importance of being proactive and sandbagging if you think there’s a chance your property might flood.”
The mayor declared a ‘State of Emergency’ May 8 due to localized flooding and continued rising water levels around the County’s 800 kms of shoreline until June, or possibly July.
Prince Edward County Fire Chief Scott Manlow, the County’s Emergency Management Control Group chair, said he’s proud of efforts being made in the community.
“It’s nice to see the community coming together, friends and neighbours helping each other.”
The County continues to provide sand, sandbags, filled sandbags, drinking water, and if needed, residents can take a shower at the Picton or Wellington community centres.
A call was received from a woman who wanted the mayor to help her have a shower.
“She said she was new to the area and didn’t know her neighbours to ask, so we let her know she could go to the community centres to shower.”
County properties are being assessed and Manlow said calls are coming in from residents wanting direction in their efforts.
“We’re helping people to understand what to do if they should not use their septic, or their wells if well water is compromised by the flooding, and to get hydro shut off if necessary,” he said, noting since the County has declared a state of emergency the Electrical Safety Authority will waive situational disconnect and re-connection fees once approved by an electrician.
Affected residents should save receipts and document their time protecting their personal properties as they may be eligible to apply for financial assistance through the province.
Because the flooding is not a dire emergency as was seen in Montreal, Manlow said residents are being encouraged to be pro-active to reduce their risks such as making sure propane tanks are high and dry and hydro is turned off in areas that water may get in, to avoid the lethal mix of water and electricity.
“It’s slow-moving onto properties and we’re stressing safety. We’re asking people to watch their shorelines and get sandbanks into place.”
He recommends residents watch a video by Quinte Conservation to place the sandbags correctly. (see below)
Pre-filled sandbags continue to be available at 15 Coleman St., in Ameliasburgh and at 115 Lake St., in Picton. Self-serve sand and sandbags also available at 111 Belleville St., (arena) in Wellington.
“People have really appreciated having the filled sandbags,” Manlow said. “They are taking this seriously and people are handling it very well.”
The County continues to map water flows and projections to help direct efforts. While all low-lying and waterfront properties are considered to be at risk of flooding, the following areas are of particular concern and property owners are encouraged to check their property and take appropriate precautions and actions.
Shoreline along County Road 3
Wellers Bay
Rossmore
Wellington
Peats Point
Northport
Shoreline along County Road 15
South Bay
Muscote Bay
Sunrise Drive/Wallbridge Circle area
For more information on well or cistern water supply during a flood, click here: http://www.hpepublichealth.ca/sites/default/files/Drinking%20Water%20Affected%20by%20Flooding%20%28May%202017%29.pdf
For more information on septic system during a flood, click here:
http://www.hpepublichealth.ca/sites/default/files/Drinking%20Water%20Affected%20by%20Flooding%20%28May%202017%29.pdf
Additional information will be added online at thecounty.ca/floodwatch as it becomes available.
Any immediate flooding concerns should be reported to Prince Edward County Customer Service by calling 613.476.2148 ext. 1023 (voicemails to this extension will be monitored after hours).
UPDATE MAY 16 – Update on baseball field conditions
Baseball fields in Prince Edward County have been closed intermittently over the past several weeks due to extremely wet ground conditions. Staff will continue to assess fields on a regular basis and this list will be updated as conditions change.
Until further notice is provided:
· Both fields at Westfall Park in Carrying Place are CLOSED
· Both fields at the Picton Arena/Community Center are OPEN
· Both fields (the regular diamond and the small t-ball diamond) at Roblin Lake / Ameliasburgh Park are OPEN
· All Three fields at the Wellington & District Community Centre are OPEN
· The field at Delhi Park is OPEN
For safety reasons as well as to prevent any unnecessary damage, please stay off any closed fields.
Filled sandbags also available
UPDATE 2 MAY 12 – Following an aerial assessment of Prince Edward County’s shorelines, and door-to-door checks by the fire department, an initial assessment indicates that Weller’s Bay and Rossmore are among the hardest hit areas by recent localized flooding and rising water levels.
Pre-filled sandbags are available at 15 Coleman Street in Ameliasburgh and 115 Lake Street in Picton. Self-serve sand and sandbags will continue to be available at 111 Belleville Street (Essroc Arena) in Wellington.
If you are sandbagging, it is essential that it is done properly. Residents are encouraged to watch the instructional video (below) before getting started.
Residents who are on a well and concerned about contaminated drinking water can pick up bottled water at the Wellington Arena (111 Belleville St.) and the Picton Arena (375 Picton Main St.) from 8am – 8pm.
For more information on your well or cistern water supply during a flood, click here. If you have questions about drinking water, please contact Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health at 613.966.5500.
Residents who are concerned about septic systems while flooding continues may use shower facilities at the Wellington Arena (111 Belleville St.) and the Picton Arena (375 Picton Main St.) from 8am – 8pm. For more information on septic system during a flood, click here.
Though The County is under a state of emergency, residents and visitors are reminded the County is open for business. Wineries, restaurants, breweries, accommodation providers, galleries, studios and other tourism businesses are open and ready to welcome visitors and residents. Anyone coming in from out of town is encouraged to call their accommodation, and other service providers to confirm that reservations and events have not been impacted.
“I would like to clear up a misconception that the County is under water” said Mayor Robert Quaiff. “A number of residents in low-lying areas are facing challenges, however tourism season is in full swing and the state of emergency should not be discouraging visitors from coming to The County. We are very much open for business!”
For more information about rising water levels contact the Quinte Conservation Authority at 613.968.3434 or info@quinteconservation.ca For more information or to report flooding of your home, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 ext. 1023 or info@pecounty.on.ca
County closes boat launches
UPDATE MAY 12: The following boat launches are now closed until further notice:
Wellington Beach Launch – Beach Street – CLOSED
Mabel Kleinsteuber Launch – County Rd 12 – CLOSED
Northport Launch – Centennial Park, County Rd 15 – CLOSED
Prinyer’s Cove Launch – County Rd 7 – CLOSED
Weller’s Bay Launch – Edward Drive – CLOSED
The Rossmore Launch at Ridley Street has RESTRICTED access to the dock. The Glendon Green Launch off County Road 18 is open. Expect high water levels ‘for some time’; some ball diamonds closed
UPDATE 2: May 11:
The County will continue to keep a number of baseball fields closed up to and including Friday, May 12th due to extremely wet conditions and rainfall in the forecast.
The public is asked to stay off the fields at:
· Both diamonds at the Picton Arena/Community Center in Picton
· Both diamonds at the Westfall Park in Carrying Place
· Both diamonds (the regular diamond and the small t-ball diamond) at Roblin Lake/Ameliasburgh Park in Ameliasburgh
Wellington’s diamonds are open for now. County staff will reassess the condition of the fields on Friday.
UPDATE: May 11:
County shoreline residents may be dealing with high water levels ‘for some time’.
A Flood Warning remains in effect for shorelines on the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in the Quinte Conservation watersheds, but has been removed for the Moira, Napanee, and Salmon Rivers.
“Water levels on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte will continue to rise for the next several weeks,” said Terry Murphy, general manager at Quinte Conservation. “We can’t predict how high the water will get. Typically, Lake Ontario peaks in mid-June or early July. Once that peak happens it will take time for the water levels to slowly recede. Unfortunately, people along the shorelines of the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario in our area may be dealing with high water levels for some time to come.”
Residents living in low lying, floodplain areas are reminded that septic systems and drinking water supplies may be compromised in flooded areas and should contact the Health Unit if they are concerned. Local municipalities are the first to respond to, and assist with, flood emergencies, he noted, advising residents requiring assistance should contact their municipality.
Quinte Conservation is urging the public to exercise caution around all watercourses due to strong currents and cold water temperatures. Stream banks may be slippery and treacherous. Dams and other water control structures should be avoided at all times.
County updates state of emergency
UPDATE MAY 9: Prince Edward County’s Emergency Management Control Group met Wednesday.
“The immediate concern is the safety of people whose homes are being impacted by the rising lake levels,” said Mayor Robert Quaiff.
The County is assessing conditions in flood zones and working with Quinte Conservation to have aerial photos taken to identify water levels along the shorelines of Prince Edward County to confirm the hardest hit areas.
The mayor has also requested a drone from the RCMP in Ottawa to provide additional assessment of potentially impacted properties.
Municipal staff and the County Fire Department staff will also be going out to at-risk areas to view these properties and collect information. The staff will carry identification. They will not be requesting entry to any homes or buildings.
The use of volunteers is being assessed should this need arise.
“Affected residents should save any receipts and document their time in protecting their personal homes as they may be eligible to apply for financial assistance through the province.”
The County has a Flood Watch page on the municipal website to provide updated information and resources available to residents. Visit www.thecounty.ca/floodwatch
MAY 8 – Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff has declared a state of emergency due to localized flooding and the continued rising water levels of the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario.
While water levels on rivers and streams are beginning to subside, Quinte Conservation has advised water levels in the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario will continue to rise for several weeks.
“The immediate concern is ensuring access to provincial financial assistance for flood damage to private property and municipal infrastructure,” said Quaiff. “In addition, by declaring an emergency, there will be access to more resources for the protection of waterfront properties.”
The County’s Emergency Control Group has been activated and will continue to monitor conditions
The County of Prince Edward is surrounded by water with more than 800 kms of shoreline. There has been localized flooding on the shoreline around the County and as lake waters rise, the mayor has been told there is a strong probability that there will be further flooding of homes and potential damage to municipal infrastructure. The Conservation Authority has also advised residents living in low lying, floodplain areas are reminded that septic systems and drinking water supplies may be compromised in flooded areas.
The County is continuing to provide sand and sandbags at three locations – 15 Coleman St., Ameliasburgh, 115 Lake St., Picton and at the Wellington Arena, 111 Belleville St.
The County has updated its website to include a Flood Watch page to provide updated information and resources available to residents. Visit: www.thecounty.ca and click on “Flood Watch” to access this information.
For more information, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 ext. 1023 or email info@pecounty.on.ca
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