flooding

Thursday July 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 27, 2017

No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton’s waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

February 27, 2009

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city’s most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

“We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon,” said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. “But we know for sure some sections are unsafe.”

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

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Saturday May 6, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 6, 2017

Shoreline and flood worries as wind and rain hit Hamilton and region

A flood watch was in effect for Hamilton as the city and much of southern Ontario brace for several more days of rain.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) says this forecasted rainfall may result in further increases in water levels and flows in area watercourses, with the potential for significant flooding.

There is further concern about the potential impacts of northerly winds on the shores of Lake Ontario. Those  winds may increase the risk of shoreline flooding and erosion, with Lake Ontario levels already high.

The latest rainfall — from Thursday through to Saturday — comes on top of records numbers for the year so far.

“This has been a record rainy first 125 days of a year, never has there been so much rain in that period in the Hamilton area,” said Dave Phillips, Environment Canada.

Phillips says Hamilton has received about 87 per cent more rain than the city would normally get so far this year.

The potential rainfall may also result in local drainage issues in low-lying or poorly drained areas, and storm sewer systems may become overwhelmed in intense rainfalls over short durations. (CBC News)

 

Saturday November 22, 2014

Saturday November 22, 2014Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 22, 2014

Snow-covered Buffalo area faces risk of roof collapses, flooding

A snowfall that brought huge drifts and closed roads in the Buffalo area finally ended Friday as the looming threat of rain and higher temperatures through the weekend and beyond raised the possibility of floods and more roofs collapsing under the heavy loads.

More than 30 major roof collapses, most involving farm and flat-roof buildings, were reported overnight, officials said Friday, after snow Thursday brought the Buffalo area’s three-day total to an epic two metres or more.

The forecast called for a chance of rain on Saturday and more through Monday, along with temperatures of about 15 C.

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Sunday through Wednesday, and meteorologist Jon Hitchcock said there might be trouble with drainage as snow and the uncollected autumn leaves underneath blocked catch basins.

As towns and villages began preparing for potential flooding, stir-crazy homeowners — some stuck inside since Tuesday — and store employees around the region climbed onto roofs to shovel off the snow and reduce the danger of collapse.

“Five hours yesterday and that’s just the beginning,” John Normile said Friday of the effort to clear snow from the roof of his Lake View ranch-style home. He, along with his daughter and her boyfriend, had knocked about 180 cm off the back of the house and planned to be back at it for a second day.

“We’re getting really concerned about the weight of it,” Normile said. “We’ve got to do it before the rain comes.” (Source: CBC News)

 

Wednesday February 26, 2003

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday February 26, 2003 Another Hole to Fill MP Stan Keyes, whose Hamilton West riding has been plagued by the recent water main breaks, said Ottawa has been spending money on municipal infrastructure and will continue to.But he said it has to be balanced with the other priorities of the country. "There is a point at which the federal government will not go into deficit," he said. "We have to get into priority spending.Ó While Keyes decried finger-pointing between various levels of government, he said Ontario could be doing more priority spending of its own. "Maybe we don't need tax cuts this year. Maybe we need to invest more in municipal infrastructure," Keyes said. "I don't think there is a resident on Locke Street who would disagree.Ó At least a few Hamilton West residents are a little fed up with all the political finger-pointing. Crews were pumping water from brothers Tom and Tim McDermott's basement yesterday as the family made a list of all the items damaged on Sunday -- golf clubs, memorabilia, bicycles and appliances. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)Ê Hamilton, Stan Keyes, infrastructure, spending, crumbling, Locke Street, flooding, funding

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 26, 2003

Another Hole to Fill

MP Stan Keyes, whose Hamilton West riding has been plagued by the recent water main breaks, said Ottawa has been spending money on municipal infrastructure and will continue to. But he said it has to be balanced with the other priorities of the country.

“There is a point at which the federal government will not go into deficit,” he said. “We have to get into priority spending.”

While Keyes decried finger-pointing between various levels of government, he said Ontario could be doing more priority spending of its own.

“Maybe we don’t need tax cuts this year. Maybe we need to invest more in municipal infrastructure,” Keyes said. “I don’t think there is a resident on Locke Street who would disagree.”

At least a few Hamilton West residents are a little fed up with all the political finger-pointing. Crews were pumping water from brothers Tom and Tim McDermott’s basement yesterday as the family made a list of all the items damaged on Sunday — golf clubs, memorabilia, bicycles and appliances. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)