Windsor Regional Hospital campuses see flooding amid heavy rainfall across Windsor-Essex
CBC News | Posted: July 16, 2021 4:41 PM | Last Updated: July 16, 2021
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning
Windsor Regional Hospital's two main campuses have flooded due to heavy rainfall throughout Windsor-Essex.
While water damage is of concern, no patient services have been impacted with the exception of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at the Ouellette Campus, according to a media release.
The lab is closed until Monday due to flooding in the basement area where equipment is stored.
All patients receiving treatment from the lab will be sent to other hospitals and those scheduled for non-emergency procedures will be notified.
Meanwhile, roadways across Windsor-Essex are experiencing heavy flooding.
City crews are working to clear areas of concern but drivers are encouraged to stay off the roads until the rain subsides. For homeowners experiencing flooding, the city is providing help through its basement flooding subsidy program.
WATCH | Heavy flooding takes hold across Windsor-Essex Friday:
Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for Windsor-Essex on Friday morning, saying 40 to 60 millimetres could fall by Saturday morning.
In some areas, the rain may reach up to 75 millimetres.
"Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions," the agency said in a media release.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority placed the region under a flood watch.
The regions most affected by the rainfall include:
- Windsor.
- Amherstburg.
- Tecumseh.
- Belle River.
- Lakeshore.
- LaSalle.
- South Windsor.
- McGregor.
- Windsor Airport.
- Maidstone.
- Essex.
For information on flooding, Environment Canada recommends contacting the Ontario Ministry fo Natural Resources and Forestry District or the local conservation authority.
Windsor-Essex residents who have been impacted by flooding from today's downpour are encouraged to contact 311 either through Windsor 311 Mobile App or through 311 online.
"This is a significant rainfall that is causing issues for homes and on roadways," City Engineer Mark Winterton said in a media release.
"And we know contacting 311 might not be top priority for homeowners right at the moment but by using the app at their convenience we'll be taking the numbers and locations of those flooded and we'll add that information to our growing data base to help plan for a future where flooding becomes less and less of an issue".