Flood Warning Update: The Latest From The City Of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough just issued this updated press release, which includes info on drinking water, sand bags and more. Read it below...

"A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. The Otonabee Conservation has advised that water levels will continue to rise along the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next fews days. Residents are advised to stay well back from the shorelines of the Otonabee River and Little Lake, as well as area creeks and dams, as the water flow rates are extremely fast and increasing. Shorelines are dangerous, as they are very unstable due to ground saturation.

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant remains on secondary by-pass, however, the Park Street pumping station has resumed normal operation. Residents downstream of the Wastewater Treatment Plant who draw water from the river should continue to take necessary precautions to disinfect and boil water. In an effort to help reduce flows through the Wastewater Treatment Plant, residents are asked to discontinue any non-essential water use until further notice.

City residents in low lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.    

Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved, and other personal effects should be moved to higher ground. Residents may wish to move personal belongings from lower levels of their home. Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies at the ready, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

The City of Peterborough Public Works Department will be providing limited sandbags for lower entry points on foundations such as doorways and window wells (not for riverbanks), to those City residents that are in imminent danger of flooding. Sandbags will be made available for City residents between 4:30 PM- 8:00 PM today (Saturday) and 7:00 AM-7:00 PM tomorrow (Sunday), at the following locations:

-> Crawford Drive at Barbara Crescent (east end)
-> Riverside Drive at Cameron Street
-> Riverside Drive at Spruce Avenue
-> Sherin Avenue at Collison Park

Proof of City of Peterborough property address is required. Filling, delivery, placement, and removal of sandbags will be the owner’s responsibility.

Properties that are susceptible to flooding may also consider sourcing supplies such as pumps, generators and sand bags from local rental companies, hardware stores and landscape suppliers.

If at anytime city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1.

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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