Canada: Chatham-Kent declares state of emergency over dike failure Feb. 8

Event

Authorities in Chatham-Kent (Ontario province) declared a state of emergency on Friday, February 8, due to a dike failure on the Thames River. Consequent river-adjacent flooding has been reported, primarily affecting farmland. Authorities are advising residents to avoid where the dike has broken, including near Poppe Road and Buchanan Line in Tilbury, while emergency repairs continue. River water also inundated some homes, businesses, and roads in the city of Chatham on Thursday, February 7, due to an ice jam on the Thames River; floodwater levels have since begun to recede.

Consequent transportation disruptions are to be expected in affected areas over the coming hours and days.

Advice

Individuals in Chatham-Kent are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate flooding and transportation disruptions, and remember that walking or driving through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; all items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.