For some frustrated Windsor residents, the flooding brought on by torrential rain over the weekend has become such a painful tradition they can't get insurance. Wayne Bondy, in the 3800 block of Bliss Road, is thinking about moving after his fifth flood in 15 years.
Repeated flooding destroys belongings
"I've lost so much," said Bondy. "I've lost a 6,000-record collection, multiple exercise machines, family photos. I had to rip up my walls three feet from the floor. I just left them up because I'm tired of doing it over and over again."
From Friday to Monday, the City of Windsor received more than 500 calls about downed trees and flooded homes. The weekend of chaotic weather began Friday with a powerful thunderstorm and hammering winds that snapped tree trunks and took down power lines. Fallen trees blocked roads, and people across the region temporarily lost power.
Most flooding in low-lying areas
David Simpson, the city engineer and commissioner of infrastructure, said most of the flooding calls came from the Remington Park, South Windsor, Devonshire Heights, Fontainebleau, and Riverside areas. "They are somewhat prone to flooding given their low-lying elevations," said Simpson. "That's exactly why we're working to upgrade and expand our stormwater system infrastructure citywide."
On Sunday, relentless rain took over. The Essex Region Conservation Authority issued a flood watch Sunday night after more than 30 mm of rain was recorded in 12 hours, with another 50 mm expected. Flooding also forced the Canadian Aviation Museum to close Monday and Tuesday. President John Robinson said the museum floor, which is about 160 feet long and 100 feet wide, was under several inches of water.
Water came from every direction
"It all came up through our drains and through the doors," he said. "They could not handle the amount of water." Parts of Bliss Road, near Cabana Road, were also submerged. "You can walk straight across the street from my home to my neighbour's home and have five inches of water above your ankles," said Bondy, who also had several inches of water in his basement. "It has nowhere to go."
Some of it flowed into John James' house. "Water was coming out of everywhere," said James, who endured his second flood in six years. "Walls, cracks, whatever. It was coming in from every direction." It was the fourth flood for Marty Ricciotti, who has lived on Bliss since 1994. He learned a few lessons along the way. "The first time we replaced the carpet, did all that," said Ricciotti. "The second time, we didn't bother putting in new carpet."
