St. Catharines declares state of emergency after repeated flooding
St. Catharines flooding and storm damage trigger emergency response after heavy rain. See how officials are tackling recovery and seeking support for affected residents.
St. Catharines, Ontario, has declared a state of emergency after two severe rainstorms in less than a week caused widespread flooding and damage across the city.
Mayor Mat Siscoe said the declaration is meant to improve the city’s response and recovery efforts and help secure support from provincial and federal partners. Officials said more than 140 millimetres of rain fell in parts of the city during storms on July 27, 28 and again on Aug. 2, overwhelming roads, stormwater systems and sewers.
City crews and the emergency operations centre have been working to assess damage, respond to urgent calls and address health and safety concerns. Nearby NiagaraontheLake also reported extreme rainfall, with local officials saying the storms flooded homes, farms, vineyards and business operations.