Dozens rescued from homes in Brampton after massive flooding
Posted February 17, 2022 8:41 pm.
Last Updated February 18, 2022 5:13 pm.
Dozens of Brampton residents have been forced out of their homes after spring like temperatures and rain over the past two days led to major flooding issues.
City officials estimate more than 50 homes have been evacuated in the Churchville neighbourhood, near Hurontario and the 407, as a result of Thursday’s storm.
Melting ice led to the massive flooding and Brampton Fire Chief Bill Boyes says the water was rising so fast that crews had to launch a rescue mission.
“It’s amazing how fast the water was rising,” Boyes said during an update on Friday. “At a peak last night it was about six feet deep in some areas.”
Boyes says crews used rescue boats to go door-to-door in the area and remove residents and their essential belongings.
“I know the residents were really thankful, we got a lot of kind words from them,” he said. “We’re just so thankful that everybody is okay because this water did rise so fast.”
Damage assessments are still being done before it can be determined when people will be allowed to return to their residences.
“We’ll be bringing in a drone later today to really understand the magnitude of the flooding,” says Boyes. “And then determine the next steps.”
On Friday afternoon, Brampton officials said streets in the Churchville area are passable, but full access in both directions is not available at this time. Creditview Road and Churchville Road (to bridge) are now open to residents but five other areas – Churchville Road Bridge, Martins Boulevard, Church Street, Victoria Street, and Adelaide Street – remain closed due to Thursday’s flooding.
The cause of the flooding appears to be from “ice damming” at the “elbow” in the river south of the one lane bridge.
Water has receded slightly since its highest level yesterday and is being monitored. pic.twitter.com/3RWfyzQF8G— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) February 18, 2022
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown says the cause of the flooding appears to be from “ice damming” in an elbow of the Credit River.
“Water has receded slightly since its highest level yesterday and is being monitored,” said Brown in a Friday morning tweet.
Brown said Thursday night that close to 100 homes had suffered “significant damage” due to the flooding. No injuries have been reported.
Environment Canada had issued a special weather statement for Brampton, forecasting rain, freezing rain and snow into Friday morning. Credit Valley Conservation has also issued a flood warning.
