SAULT STE. MARIE – Significant rainfall in Sault Ste. Marie Monday night has left a number of roads and properties damaged.
In a video sent in by a viewer, a car can be seen driving through high water downtown on Queen Street at 10:30 p.m. Monday night.
Residents said it was quite the sight to see.
"We saw the rain coming down quite heavily, and next thing we knew, we see cars going through all the water and it was above the tires," said Carolyn Nelson.
"I thought it was really intense, like I’ve never seen so much rain come down at all," said Jason Sharpe.
While others said the storm caused damage to their homes.
"Our basements are flooded, there’s sewage everywhere, it’s crazy. So, now we have to get that repaired," said Laurie Jarrett.
Susan Hamilton Beach, director of the City of Sault Ste. Marie Public Works, said staff were busy Tuesday cleaning up debris and assessing the damage.
"We definitely have a number of areas with washouts. And the low lying areas are continuing to be assessed. Pine Street took a bit of a hit, so we’re currently doing quite a major repair in that situation and then assessing what all others look like," said Hamilton Beach. "All in all, the city’s major infrastructures - if we're taking a look at bridges and the roadways in general, we did fare quite well."
(Damage to Sault Ste. Marie street caused by flooding after heavy rainfall. October 1, 2019. Nicole Di Donato/CTV Northern Ontario)
The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority (SSMRCA) has issued a flood warning for the area. The warning will stay in effect until Oct. 4.
Corrina Barrett, the general manager of the SSMRCA, said the city saw between 90 and 135mm rainfall in a 12 hour period.
While most roads and highways have reopened, city officials are warning motorists to drive with caution as there may be debris or road damage.
Officials are also urging the public to take extra precaution when walking or driving near rivers and streams as water levels remain high.
“Some of our flood control areas are popular for people walking animals or going for bike rides and whatnot so we just ask people to be very vigilant and careful,” said Barrett. “Try to stay away from those areas at this time until we see that the water levels are receding.”
More rain is in the forecast for this week.
The city said it has been checking its grates and sewage systems, but that further rain could be "detrimental," as the system has been running at capacity.
