Deluge of rain swamps West Carleton

WEST CARLETON – Yesterday’s (Aug. 9) deluge came down hard and fast and caused havoc across the city, but especially in Ward 5 where pooling water flooded hundreds of basements and damaged roads, ditches and lawns, even closing businesses across West Carleton.

According to Ottawa weather historian Rolf Campbell, 45.3 millimetres of rainfall was recorded at the Ottawa International Airport by 8 p.m. More than 73 mm of rainfall were recorded at the Experimental Farm.

In Carp, Huntley Community Association (HCA) President Peter Green checked his water gauge, and it put those numbers to shame, although he almost has trouble believing it.

“I emptied our garden water gauge on Thursday (Aug. 8) afternoon,” Green posted on social media yesterday (Aug. 9). “I can’t believe we got 150 mm of rain in Carp yesterday, however seeing the videos and images of the village makes me wonder.”

In Kinburn, Jennifer Szaraz says her rain gauge hit 170 mm.

“Well, I had about four inches (10.1 centimetres) in my basement,” Carp’s Tara Azulay responded in the discussion.

All that rain turned village roads in to rivers, destroyed gravel paths and trails and closed businesses across the community as culverts overflowed and large ponds pooled in villagers’ backyards.

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) reports volunteer firefighters were kept quite busy in Ward 5, yesterday.

“Our volunteer firefighters from District 6 have been working diligently to help residents with the flooding in Dunrobin, Carp and West Carleton,” OFS public information officer Nicholas DeFazio released in a statement today (Aug. 10). “They responded to more than 20 calls for flooded basements with extra pumps on board our trucks, culverts cleaned out and electrical safety checks on all the affected homes in the area.”

The rain also forced Ward 5 Coun. Clarke Kelly in to action.

“We have experienced a large amount of precipitation in a very short period of time, which has caused many issues across the city, including areas of Ward 5,” Kelly released in a statement yesterday (Aug. 9). “I have been in contact with the city’s emergency response team, which is sending out staff to evaluate needs at several locations including:

• some areas in the Village of Carp
• areas of Dunrobin such as Old Maple Lane
• a section of John Shaw Road

“The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is already on scene at the corner of Marchhurst and Murphy Side Road as we had several calls about that location as well,” Kelly said.

“Please avoid the March and Carp Road intersection, which is currently flooded due to heavy rain. Our rural firefighters are on site in Carp trying to direct traffic.”

If you require assistance, please call or email 311@ottawa.ca and copy my office at Clarke.Kelly@Ottawa.ca.

“I have also reached out to Hydro One to request they postpone their planned power outage for this Sunday (Aug. 11) as many people will still be pumping their basements,” Kelly said.

Hydro One did cancel it’s planned power outage for this Sunday, and all residents will have electricity this weekend.

The city’s Public Safety Service director Beth Gooding shared the city’s response to the rainfall earlier today (Aug. 10).

“I want to provide a brief summary of the impacts of today’s significant rain event,” Gooding wrote in a memo to council obtained by West Carleton Online today. “Across the city, the impacts were generally minor. The exception is in the west, where there is significant damage to some roads.”

West Carleton and Kanata experienced some flooded roads/intersections.

“In some areas, the damage is severe,” Gooding said. “For example, we have some culverts washed out and some partial road collapses. Public Works Department (PWD) and Infrastructure and Water Services Department (IWSD) are working together and will begin assessing damage to roads to determine what repairs are required.”

Gooding says there are several groups that deserve thanks for the reaction to the flooding.

“I would like to thank roads and traffic staff from our Public Works Department, as well as the OPS, who worked together to close the flooded roads and intersections in the west this afternoon to ensure public safety.“

All roadway impacts due to flooding are being updated on the city’s interactive traffic map.

 Currently, around Carp, Marchurst Road is to be avoided between Murphy Side and Synergy roads and between Thomas A. Dolan and John Aselford roads. Old Second Line Road to be avoided between Thomas A. Dolan and Murphy Side roads.

In Dunrobin, Thomas A. Dolan is to be avoided between Woodkilton and Dunrobin roads.

Closer to Fitzroy Harbour, Torbolton Ridge is closed between Kilmaurs and Kinburn Side roads. Follow the signed detours.

“Please note residents are encouraged to keep checking this map as some of today’s road closures may persist,” Gooding said. “Infrastructure and Water Services Department attended a small number of basement flooding calls today. They also ensured the continuous operation of critical water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the event. In addition, there were a handful of residential properties in West Carleton that needed sump pumps deployed by the Ottawa Fire Services (OFS). For those homes, the OFS conducted electrical safety checks and cleared culverts in the area. The city’s Public Information and Media Relations team continued to keep residents informed throughout the day and provided guidance based on current conditions via social media.”

The rain affected many residents and businesses in West Carleton, especially around Carp.

The Carp Garden Centre, just outside of the village on Donald B. Munro Drive, is closed today because the rain washed away their parking lot and many of the trails on the property.

“Photos really don’t do justice, the level of damage caused by the intense rain yesterday that ran off the ridge and washed us out,” Carp Garden Centre management released in a statement earlier today announcing the closure. “Our parking lot is washed away and inaccessible, and the garden centre paths are treacherous and full of giant crevices. We have amazing staff and friends working hard to get us back up and running but at this time we are unsure of when that will be. Hopefully soon. Thank you everyone for your support.”

Gooding says her department will actively continue to monitor and respond to the rainfall fallout.

“At this time, the Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and will coordinate any residual issues across city services,” Gooding said. “The city remains available and encourages residents to report any issue through 311. As previously noted, PWD and IWSD are starting their assessment work. They will provide an update once they have determined the full extent of the infrastructure damage, as well as what repairs will be necessary.”