Rainfall warning issued for GTA
Posted March 4, 2011 9:26 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the GTA and most of southwestern Ontario.
Between 20 and 30 mm of rain is expected from Friday night into Sunday morning, though some areas could see as much as 50 mm.
“In the winter, the ground is frozen and it’s not absorbing the water as it does in the summer, so you get increased runoff,” said CityNews meteorologist Adam Stiles.
The concern is, when temperatures drop towards the end of Saturday, freezing rain and ice patches could create treacherous conditions.
Residents may need to salt their driveways and take other safety precautions.
Here are some flood-proofing tips from the City of Toronto:
Short-term
- Inspect your home’s flood-proofing devices, such as sump pumps, floor drains or backwater valves, to ensure they’re working properly.
- Inspect your walls, doors, windows, floors and foundations for any cracks or leaks.
- Safely clear neighbourhood catchbasins of debris that blocks rainwater from flowing easily into them.
- Clean out your eavestroughs and window wells and check for leaks.
Long-term
- Ensure that downspouts are disconnected and drain properly away from the basement and foundation walls (also check to make sure your downspout does not drain directly onto neighbouring properties, lanes or sidewalks).
- Consider soft-surface landscaping that allows stormwater to soak into the ground away from your home.
- Examine the grading of your property. The ideal is for your property to slope away from the house for at least two to three metres.
- When in doubt, contact a professional such as a licensed plumber or drainage contractor.
- Make sure your flood insurance is up to date.
If your basement floods, call 311, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information about preventing flooding, visit the City of Toronto website.
