French River area preparing for worsening flooding with more rain expected
Many regions of northeastern Ontario have growing concerns about high water levels.
The northeastern portion of the Ontario Flood Map for April 27, 2024. (Supplied/Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)
The Municipality of French River has been under a flood watch since Thursday evening and many residents told CTV News that they fear the already high water levels combined with the rain forecasted in the coming days may cause more widespread flooding.
CTV News visited the Barker’s Bay community near Alban, Ont. on Friday to observe the rising water levels.
High water levels in the French River community of Barker’s Bay on April 26, 2024. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)
It was almost impossible to distinguish the river from the property line when viewing the community’s shoreline on April 26.
It was almost impossible to distinguish the river from the property line when viewing Barker’s Bay’s shoreline on April 26, 2024. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Municipal officials said that the current water levels have not been seen since the flood in 2019.
“We’re re-living it but we’re much better organized – our fire department is ready to go,” said French River Mayor Gisele Pageau.
“We do have three roads underwater right now and the water levels are pretty high.”
Officials said part of the issue they are facing is the high levels in Lake Nipissing as provincial officials let four to eight inches of water through the dam there and it is now making its way downstream.
The community had already started sandbagging operations before CTV News cameras arrived and said volunteer firefighters would be continuing those efforts on Saturday.
A large quantity of sandbags prepared to protect shorelines in French River. April 26, 2024. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Municipal officials held an emergency meeting early Friday morning to plan their next steps.
“The biggest challenge will be the weather system that is coming and so we want to be proactive in deploying it but we don’t want to be reactive as well,” French River Fire Chief Roch Bigras.
“We are being proactive in with our public works department, we have some skiffs of sandbags ready and we are gearing up for the worst-case scenario.”
Several homeowners were already having to park their vehicles near the highway because some roadways have been made impassable for smaller cars because of knee-high flooding.
CTV News Northern Ontario videojournalist Ian Campbell standing in knee deep water in the French River community of Barker’s Bay on April 26, 2024. (CTV News Northern Ontario)
Some homeowners living in the region are already leaving amid the flooding.
“I’ve done all the protect and mitigation I can to prevent water damage and I’m going to leave while it’s convenient to do so,” one homeowner told CTV News.
Municipal officials said the priority is protecting people’s homes, their livelihoods and most important – the people themselves.
“Make sure none of the homes get destroyed like they did in 2019, that’s the most important thing,” said Pageau.
“Yes there is damage to boat houses, yes there’s damage to docks – but, docks and boathouses can be repaired far easier than when your home is flooded with three to four feet of water.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with video on social media showing lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
Indian capital swelters as temperature hits all-time high of 52.9 C
Delhi recorded an all-time high temperature of 52.9 C (127.22 F) on Wednesday as extreme heat conditions gripped the north and western parts of India.