All storm and sanitary systems are operating normally and our crews continue to monitor the lake levels and weather information to take appropriate action where needed. This situation is directly a result of high lake levels.
Topographical and shoreline surveying was conducted in 2019 to determine areas of concern along the Lake St. Clair shoreline. That study identified approximately nine areas of concern where the shoreline was below the 1:100 year elevation of 176.390m and could potentially be a conduit for in-land flooding.
As a result of the topographical study and historical data, the Town has developed several maps depicting the depth of surface ponding at the elevation of 176.390, if there is a lake induced flooding event caused by a strong and sustained North or Northeast wind.
The actual areas of impact and depths are entirely dependent on variables such as wind speed, rate and volume of water that may breach break walls, and whether there is a concurrent significant rainfall event. We want residents to prepare for any eventuality and be ready to evacuate flooded areas quickly.
Depending on depth of flooding, there will be an additional impact on the Town’s storm and sanitary sewer systems which may result in sanitary surcharging into basements. The Town has developed a map that shows the areas of potential impact as well as evacuation routes.
Public Works and Environmental Services (PWES) have used sandbags and earth berms to shore up pump stations to prevent or mitigate overland flooding of these facilities in the event of lake flooding.
On April 16, 2020, Tecumseh Town Council held a Special Meeting to discuss the current flooding situation and impacts to the potential temporary shelter/reception centre. Council received a report titled “Amendments to the Town of Tecumseh Flood Response Plan, approved a by-law to adopt the revised Emergency Response Plan including the amended Flood Response Plan; and, approved $500,000 from the Infrastructure Reserve for the implementation of flood mitigation defences on identified properties that pose a significant risk for further inland flooding and authorized their completion.
On April 16, 2020 the Mayor issued an Order to Take Measures on properties identified within the affected area (shoreline properties along Lake St Clair and Pike Creek) to take immediate actions to mitigate the threat of flooding as directed by the Director of Public Works & Environmental Services. Immediate actions commenced on April 20, 2020 on 16 properties that pose a significant risk for further in-land flooding. These properties have been identified through means of LiDAR technology, site surveys, as well as where Town staff have observed lake waters flowing to Riverside Drive during certain weather events.
