Tecumseh’s Flood Emergency Control Group met again this morning to further discuss current status of lake levels and next steps for emergency preparedness. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has extended their Flood Watch until the end of September and has advised Lake St. Clair is now sitting seven inches above the previous high in 1986. Water levels have already breached shorelines in Leamington, Kingsville, Amherstburg, LaSalle, Lakeshore and Windsor. Some residents on Riverside Drive have noted flooding in their backyards.

“Tecumseh will flood with these lake levels, it happened in 1986 when the last record was set and we are now above that. Residents and business owners need to prepare themselves,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “Our neighbour municipalities have experienced it and it seems inevitable for Tecumseh. I am telling everyone, get your property set, get an evacuation kit put together and make sure we have your contact information in our notification system.”

Administration has been working to shore up low lying areas along Riverside Drive and protect all Town pump stations. With the height of the lake levels, any north/north-east wind or heavy rain event will result in the lake breaching the shoreline and flooding into Town. Residents are encouraged to take appropriate steps to protect not only their property, but also themselves and their families. We also encourage family members of vulnerable persons living in Town (seniors/elderly, persons with limited mobility) to assist these individuals with emergency planning. Assisted living residences in Town have their own emergency plans in place and have been in direct communications with Town emergency personnel.

ERCA is hosting several High Water Information Sessions in Windsor and Essex County beginning next week. The first session will be attended by members of Tecumseh’s Public Works and Environmental Services Department on Monday, August 12, 2019 at the Atlas Tube Centre in Lakeshore from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tecumseh residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the high water levels, what has caused the serious issues this summer and how they can protect themselves.

Residents are encouraged to register their contact information in our Emergency Notification System: www.tecumseh.ca/emergencynotification and make a plan for evacuation. This includes having an evacuation kit and safe place to go in the event of an evacuation. Details on how to protect your property, put together an evacuation kit and detour routes will be posted on our website at: www.tecumseh.ca/floodprotection. It is anticipated that properties will be impacted as a result of inland flooding and we encourage owners to take measures to protect their properties.

The Town also reminds everyone to keep public safety in mind in the event of an emergency and evacuation order. This includes staying off roads that have been flooded, not driving vehicles down flooded roads, leaving immediately when an evacuation is ordered and staying out of flooded areas either on foot or by floatation device. Access to impacted areas by public service and emergency vehicles will be a priority during a flood event to keep the Town’s pumping facilities operational and for emergency rescue purposes. Keeping roadways clear will be of paramount importance.