AL3RT
Well-known member
First I remember it flooded back in Aug 2005. With 175mm of rain falling in one afternoon, a serious flood threat became reality when the Don River overflowed its banks in the heart of Toronto. The water spilled over and flooded out the Don Valley Parkway as well as many other nearby roadways. Several people were trapped in the floodwaters and had to be rescued by emergency services using a crane and boats from the police marine unit. Traffic was eventually turned around in order to clear the backup of cars, trucks & busses that became stuck with nowhere to escape.
So here it happens again... Severe flooding shut down a section of a major Toronto highway early Wednesday just before the start of the morning rush hour.
Police closed the lower end of the Don Valley Parkway at about 5 am from the Gardiner Expressway north to Bloor Street.
Few tips on guarding against floods:
- Make sure your disconnected downspouts are draining properly, ideally 1.8 metres (six feet) from your basement walls
- Be sure the grading around your home drains water away from all exterior walls
- Check for and fix leaks in basement walls, floors, windows and foundations
- Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris preventing proper drainage
- Repair or replace damaged weeping tile systems
- Rake leaves away from sewer catch basins and other outside drains
- Have a plumber or drain company inspect your home’s flood-proofing devices, including back-water valves, sump pumps, floor drains or caps, to ensure they’re working properly
- Don’t pour grease down drains or flush food or other objects down toilets as this will block sewer connections causing sewers to backup during rain storms
- Consider soft-surface landscaping that allows storm water to soak into the ground rather than run directly into the local sewer systems, such as increased sodded areas and porous pavement.
- Ensure your flood insurance is up to date
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding
- Be aware of the dangers when cleaning up a flooded basement. Don’t stand in flood water and call a professional for assistance.
So here it happens again... Severe flooding shut down a section of a major Toronto highway early Wednesday just before the start of the morning rush hour.
Police closed the lower end of the Don Valley Parkway at about 5 am from the Gardiner Expressway north to Bloor Street.
Few tips on guarding against floods:
- Make sure your disconnected downspouts are draining properly, ideally 1.8 metres (six feet) from your basement walls
- Be sure the grading around your home drains water away from all exterior walls
- Check for and fix leaks in basement walls, floors, windows and foundations
- Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris preventing proper drainage
- Repair or replace damaged weeping tile systems
- Rake leaves away from sewer catch basins and other outside drains
- Have a plumber or drain company inspect your home’s flood-proofing devices, including back-water valves, sump pumps, floor drains or caps, to ensure they’re working properly
- Don’t pour grease down drains or flush food or other objects down toilets as this will block sewer connections causing sewers to backup during rain storms
- Consider soft-surface landscaping that allows storm water to soak into the ground rather than run directly into the local sewer systems, such as increased sodded areas and porous pavement.
- Ensure your flood insurance is up to date
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report property damage caused by flooding
- Be aware of the dangers when cleaning up a flooded basement. Don’t stand in flood water and call a professional for assistance.
