Friends and Neighbors,
Yesterday brought record rain to our community. We got almost as much rain in one day as we normally get in a month. The Ottawa Airport got 79 (mm), more than the previous 30-year record of 59 mm. The Rideau Watershed is swelling and floodwaters continue to submerge farm fields and fill some basements in the Kars, Manotick and North Gower area. During my regular constituent calls today, two families informed me that they’ve had to deal with flooded basements, but I know there are many more.
Worse still, a weather system is moving in that threatens thunderstorms tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.
I have been urging Parks Canada to lower the Rideau River to its lowest allowable navigation levels, so that feeder creeks like the Cranberry can drain as quickly as possible. Officials there have agreed. Unfortunately, other saturated creeks along the river are all gushing into the Rideau at the same time, which means Parks Canada can only do so much to bring levels down.
I will be getting another briefing tomorrow from Parks Canada.
In the meantime, please be careful around water bodies and boaters should beware of submerged obstacles, such as rocks and docks. Just because you can’t see it, does not mean it is not there. Further, I would ask boaters to reduce their speeds in order to avoid sending wakes of water onto personal property.
Finally, please contact me at 613-692-3331, if you need my help.
Pierre