The shadow of 2017’s summer floods seems to be closing in on Toronto, and city staff and residents are taking precautions on the Toronto Islands to try and avoid some seriously wet déjà vu.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) released yet another Shoreline Hazard Warning this morning reinstating how dangerously close Lake Ontario’s water levels are getting to those of 2017.
According to the TRCA, the water levels of Lake Ontario are still gradually rising and are expected to “peak within the next one-two weeks.”
As of today, the average water level for the lake is 75.85 m—11 cm higher than what TRCA reported just last week, and only 8 cm below the maximum observed daily water level in 2017, which was 75.93 m.
Dangerous results like shortened beaches, erosion, trail/boardwalk closures, and localized flooding have been observed at the Toronto Islands, Sugar Beach, and Woodbine Beach, among many others. And the report is saying that these effects will only be exacerbated with heavy winds.
Following strong winds yesterday that caused waves to breach existing sandbags on some shores of the islands, city staff, including Mayor John Tory, were on-site on the Toronto Islands this morning to continue to make sure that the floods are being combatted.
Visited the Toronto Islands this afternoon to inspect flooding that occurred late last night. Thanking City staff for their continued work to protect one of our city’s most cherished landmarks. The islands remain open with ferries operating as scheduled. pic.twitter.com/VLYM9Q1ILc
— John Tory (@JohnTory) May 24, 2019
Sandbags are continued to be filled by both staff and island residents…
@bradrossTO/Twitter
@bradrossTO/Twitter
According to Brad Ross, chief communications officer for the City of Toronto, re-sandbagging efforts that began last night will take approximately 72 hours, and water pumps are being strategically located to clear the flooded areas, which will also take about 48-72 hours.
Sandbags line the shores of Algonquin Island as 24 industrial pumps strategically move the water that breached the shore back into the lake.
@bradrossTO/Twitter
@bradrossTO/Twitter
bradrossTO/Twitter
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