Wicked spring storm drops 72 mm of rain on Ontario town
Digital Reporter
Friday, April 21, 2017, 8:22 AM - Intense storms in southern Ontario dropped a month's worth of rain in the Hamilton and Dundas area Thursday, triggering localized flooding and a mudslide that caused several road closures and extensive damage.
Severe thunderstorm watches were dropped by 7 p.m., but intense downpours continued.
On average, Hamilton receives about 71.3 mm of rain in the month of April. Unofficial figures show the city recorded a staggering 72.6 mm Thursday.
QUICK FACTS:
- Heavy rains caused localized flooding and several road closures in Hamilton and Dundas
- Calm conditions for southern Ontario Friday
- Rain continues for eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, up to 30 mm possible
KEEP ON TOP OF ACTIVE WEATHER: Visit the Alerts section of the website
Downpours lasted for most of the day in parts of the southwest, but intensified in time for the evening commute, hitting some areas particularly hard.
Firefighters reported numerous calls for assistance in the Hamilton area, with at least one water rescue. Police asked residents in Dundas to remain off the roads for the time being.
Floodwaters a foot deep were reported in Hamilton, as well as property damage. Storm drains were clogged and local creeks were swollen.
Due to "extraordinary rainfall," the city released a statement Thursday evening notifying residents that crews were investigating flooding on a number of roads and high flows at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant.
A mudslide forced officials to close King Street East, between East and West streets, and the CP rail line was also shut down due to flooding, according to CBC.
Sydenham Creek in Dundas ON coming out of its banks this evening after 75 mm of rain. Road closures and property flooding #onstorm pic.twitter.com/eQgWjqhcn5
— Chris Scott (@ChrisScottWx) April 21, 2017
"This is the worst its been in 40 years," York Road and King Street plaza owner John Henjo told CBC.
As of Friday morning, the Hamilton Conservation Authority has a level 2 flood watch still in place.
While the wet weather subsides for southern Ontario, rain is expected to push into Ottawa and Montreal through Friday, with up to 30 mm expected north of the St. Lawrence River.
Meanwhile, a low tracking towards Lake Superior is forecast to bring a swath of moderate snow to parts of northern Ontario this weekend.
"Great weekend for southern Ontario/Quebec, but cold front late Sunday brings a rather chilly start to next week -- especially for the GTA, with a raw east wind off of Lake Ontario, but at least we will have sunshine," says The Weather Network's Dr. Doug Gillham. "Quick return to milder weather Tuesday, but GTA will lag behind as we struggle to shake the east wind off of the lake."
See photos of flooding in southern Ontario below:
#Flooding on the escarpment in #Dundas #Hamilton, drains need to be clearrrrrrrred. @HamiltonPolice pic.twitter.com/hfEKv1Sti9
— Jonathon Denesi (@JonathonDenesi) April 21, 2017
Earlier this evening in Dundas ON. Water has since receeded. This is FAR from a worst case scenario which would be catastrophic pic.twitter.com/0TmtXjEfls
— Chris Scott (@ChrisScottWx) April 21, 2017
Heavy flooding in Dundas. Storm drain at the bottom of the escarpment is clogged, flooding the street and houses below. pic.twitter.com/pCFNRCCWdD
— Rebuild Hamilton (@RebuildHamilton) April 20, 2017
The flooding on King St E at Olympic is going to take a long time to subside. Rivers and channels still way up. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/25j4AMPeTM
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) April 21, 2017
#RoadClosure #flooding on North Service Road, please do not attempt to drive around @cityburlington barricades ^ao #flood pic.twitter.com/MiqKULWA1X
— HRPS Burlington (@HRPSBurl) April 21, 2017
Get ma hip waders! #Dundas #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/zhlYcfBsWg
— Kathrynnewberry (@katnewb) April 21, 2017
#HSRAlert: We're blocked at Dundas & King. #HSR5 buses to Head St will use West St in both directions. #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/cK6mlH8Fz7
— HSR (@hsr) April 20, 2017
So much water and mud, and this flooding is way below what it once was. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/0iq4bMd0li
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) April 21, 2017
Tremendous flooding still ongoing in Dundas. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/YUv0OGA1Xa
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) April 21, 2017
Flood waters in Dundas receeding as our leaders of tomorrow take to the streets #onstorm pic.twitter.com/EO3TzSfnoD
— Chris Scott (@ChrisScottWx) April 21, 2017
Heavy rains caused a culvert to overflow in downtown Dundas Thursday.#HamOnt pic.twitter.com/NjSDST1Bjf
— Rick Hughes (@RickHughesCBC) April 21, 2017