A state of emergency has been declared in St. Catharines due to significant flooding that has affected thousands of homes and properties over the last week. The declaration was made by Mayor Mat Siscoe on Monday afternoon, following a pair of major storms that brought over 140 mm of rain to the city. The storms have caused widespread damage, including shoreline erosion to private and public property. The city's infrastructure, including roads and sewer systems, has been overwhelmed by the flooding.
The storms have had a devastating impact on the city, with flooding affecting homes, businesses, and city facilities. The city's Emergency Operations Centre has been active since the first storm last Tuesday, coordinating response efforts and prioritizing resources as recovery continues. Despite these efforts, the city is still in need of assistance, and Mayor Siscoe has called on the federal and provincial governments to provide disaster relief aid.
In a video message, Mayor Siscoe emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the city has been dealing with the aftermath of the storms on its own, without assistance from higher levels of government. He noted that no infrastructure can handle the amount of rain that the city has received, equivalent to a hurricane's worth, in such a short period. The mayor has respectfully requested that the federal and provincial governments work together to provide disaster relief assistance to the city.
The declaration of a state of emergency ensures that the city has all the tools available to respond to and recover from the flooding. The city will continue to provide updates and resources to those affected by the flooding. Efforts to coordinate response and recovery efforts are ongoing, and the city is working to prioritize resources and support those in need.
The city's Emergency Operations Centre will remain active as the city works to recover from the flooding. The centre has been coordinating response efforts and prioritizing resources since the first storm last Tuesday. The city is committed to supporting those affected by the flooding and is working to ensure that all necessary resources are available to aid in the recovery efforts.
