'We certainly didn't need it': Essex County fields saturated amid record rainfall
As the rain continues to fall, Windsor-Essex County is well on its way for a record for the month.
Environment Canada says 24 mm of rain was collected Sunday at Windsor Airport, breaking the previous record of 21 mm set back in 2000.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) issued a Flood Watch, which will be in effect until midnight Oct. 26.
“Rainfall for October within Windsor is 52 milimeters,” says ERCA CEO Tim Byrne “We’re at 35 (mm) just in the last 24-hour period.”
All farmers like Brendan Byrne (no relation) can do, is watch and wait.
Flooded fields in Essex County, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor)
“We’re getting all they’ve (forecasters) called for and more so we certainly didn’t need it,” he says.
Byrne says there is still a lot of soy beans and corn to be harvested, most of which is now standing in water.
Plus, Byrne says a lot of farmers use this time to do maintenance on their fields —work which cannot happen or it will create huge ruts in the soil.
“There’s a lot of winter wheat that would have got planted or got planted, right before this that maybe won’t make it now,” says Byrne.
Flooded fields in Essex County, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor)
In spite of the record rain, the storm itself has been falling in the best way possible, according to Jim Parker, of Parker Construction.
“If it falls over time, the ditches, the storm sewers things like that can handle it,” says Parker.
He hasn’t received any calls for flooded basements, yet.
As of 3:30 p.m. Monday, City Hall has received just one call for a flooded basement in the City of Windsor.
“People have learned to cope with the situation,” says Parker, including installing a sump pump, back water valve, disconnecting downspouts, improving grading away from their foundations, cleaning out gutters and clearing debris from catch basins.
Flooded fields in Essex County, Ont. on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor)
“I would check a sump pump at least once a month,” advises Parker. “When you know there’s rain in the forecast check your sump pump. Make sure your float is freed, make sure it’s actually pumping water.”
The city asks any resident who experiences water in their basement, to call 3-1-1 regardless of the amount or damage, to help with tracking how the underground infrastructure is handling rain events.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.