Cold temperatures have offered a temporary reprieve, but flooding is anticipated to get worse in certain areas as northern snow melts and makes its way through Greater Sudbury<\/p>\n
Mayor Paul Lefebvre declared a state of emergency at mid-day April 21 due to ongoing flooding and the possibility of coming floods \u201cto levels we have never seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n
During a media conference at Tom Davies Square during the early afternoon, Lefebvre said declaring a state of emergency<\/a> \u201cis about planning and preparedness as conditions continue to change.\u201d<\/p>\n He also clarified that the declaration is \u201ca precautionary measure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt ensures we are ready in the event localized evacuations become necessary,\u201d Lefebvre said. \u201cIt allows us to mobilize the right resources and supports quickly to help residents leave their homes safely and access secure locations.\u201d<\/p>\n A state of emergency also helps support volunteers \u201cwho play an important role in times like these\u201d and who have already been busy helping residents in need via such activities as sandbagging.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank all residents who are supporting one another and ask that you continue to look out for your neighbours,\u201d Lefebvre said.<\/p>\n A state of emergency can also streamline decision making and \u201caccess to certain areas and restrict entry where necessary to protect residents and ensure emergency operations can take place.\u201d<\/p>\n Conditions \u201cmay change quite rapidly, particularly as warmer temperatures approach,\u201d Lefebvre said, urging residents to continue looking out for each other.<\/p>\n Floodwaters have dissipated in various areas due to colder temperatures in the last couple of days, with Ward 3 Coun. Michel Brabant noting that the previously flooded-over Belanger Street in Chelmsford<\/a> was largely clear of water by the morning of April 21.<\/p>\n This could change in the coming days, Conservation Sudbury general manager Carl Jorgensen said, noting that people should count on water levels to increase.<\/p>\n In certain areas, like the Whitson River system, water shouldn\u2019t rise quite as much as along the Vermillion and Onaping systems, which are part of a larger northern watershed which still has approximately 180 mm of water equivalent in snow yet to melt. This is anticipated to flow south through the Vermillion system and potentially backflow into Junction Creek.<\/p>\n Conservation Sudbury will continue to post updated flood forecasts on their website, available by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n States of emergency have also been declared in other area municipalities, including West Nipissing<\/a> and Central Manitoulin<\/a>.<\/p>\n