City of Windsor emergency preparedness services is prepping for overland flooding along the Detroit River and Lake St.Clair.
As of March 27, water levels in Lake St. Clair were 37 inches above the historic March average and 2 inches higher than the highest recorded monthly average for March. Water levels are expected to rise another five inches before the end of the month.
Fire Chief Stephen Laforet said the risk is heightened due to the current pandemic situation.
"Residents need to ensure they have a plan that includes where they will go and stay in the event of an evacuation. Opening a shelter or a reception centre for evacuees during the pandemic is a last resort option and should be avoided if at all possible," said Laforet.
The properties with the highest risk to overland flooding are along the north side of Riverside Drive from George Avenue to the city limit with Tecumseh.
Sandbags will be made available to assist these residents in protecting their properties by the end of the week. Residents from those addresses are asked to call 311 (open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday), and an appointment can be set up to meet City staff at the sandbag station. Appointments will be scheduled between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, beginning Friday, April 3, 2020.
The Windsor Port Authority has issued a buffer zone of 30 metres for all motorized watercraft along the Windsor shoreline for the next 30 days.