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
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Irrefutable evidence': integrity commissioner finds Parole Board member sexually harassed 'several' employees
There is 'irrefutable evidence' a member of the Parole Board of Canada sexually harassed multiple employees, without adequate disciplinary action from management, according to a report by Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.