Businesses along the Thames River in downtown Chatham dodged a bullet when the river peaked Thursday morning.
Those stores on King Street that have basements escaped anticipated flooding, while others simply don't have basements.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) said the Thames River in Chatham was about 11 feet above normal on Thursday and peaked roughly 23 feet above normal near Thamesville on Wednesday. The LTVCA said the flood warning continues until Friday. However, flooding of residential areas in Chatham is no longer expected.
Satellite Restaurant sits on the river on King Street in downtown Chatham and manager Bonnie Larsen credits the fast-flowing river and the lack of snow and ice for their luck this time around.
"We have no snow, there wasn't a drop of ice and it's moving fast because the mouth is not jammed," said Larsen.
Larsen is grateful the water stopped just shy of the back door.
"No water in the basement. Two years ago we got closed mostly because of the gas meters. They are high up but the water was higher too because it got into the basement. We were closed for five days," she said.
Conservation officials added water levels are still high on both Lake St. Clair and the Thames River. They said strong wind on Thursday could cause shoreline flooding and nuisance flooding continues in Lighthouse Cove. The LTVCA said water levels are dropping, but they are expected to remain high in the city and downstream for a couple of more days.
The public is being asked to avoid the water because the combination of slippery banks and fast-moving cold water can be dangerous. The conservation authority also asks that residents clean debris from catch basins and other drainage works when the water recedes.
