History of Flooding
1954 Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Hazel is one of the most infamous disasters in Canadian history. The storm resulted in the death of 81 people and 1,868 lost their homes. The storm also revolutionized what we know about stormwater management. Although most stories focus on the impact on the Humber Valley in Toronto, flooding was also experienced in Durham Region.
1980 "Great Flood" of Port Hope
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority created an interactive story about the Great Flood of Port Hope that occurred in March 1980. While this flood was outside of Durham Region, it demonstrates the dangers associated with flooding, including widespread evacuation and destruction in the town.
Check out the GRCA Story Map for excellent reporting, images and first hand accounts.
Walton & Queen Street looking East: Photo by Nelson Gardiner
(Images by Toronto and Region Conservation archives)
The website www.hurricanehazel.ca was created by Toronto and Region Conservation and ThinData to document the history of Hurricane Hazel and how flood control has changed over time. A Story Map is also available.
Summer 2008 Flooding
Over the summer of 2008, Whitby and other areas in Durham experienced extreme rainfall. June, July, and August recorded levels at 185%, 400%, and 150% of monthly averages, with some localized intense storms exceeding the 100-year event.The extreme and constant rainfall saturated the ground and resulted in the capacity of underground storm systems being exceeded and excess stormwater flows that flooded multiple areas. Basement flooding also occurred in at least 150 homes. After this flooding event, local municipalities made upgrades to the storm system to reduce the likelihood of flood damage in the future.
Source: Whitby Public Works Department (2008)
July 2016 Storm
An intense thunderstorm hit the Region in July 2016. The rainfall was estimated to be 30mm and fell very quickly, in combination with strong winds. Some businesses, like a local movie theatre, required evacuation and the estimated total cost across all of southern Ontario was $47 million (Public Safety Canada).
2017 and 2019 Lake Ontario Flooding
Many communities along Lake Ontario in both Ontario and the United States experienced record-breaking flooding in 2017. Studies conducted by the International Joint Commission, responsible for binational management of the Great Lakes, found that high water levels were the result of extreme weather, record-breaking precipitation in April and May, and above-average inflows from the upper Great Lakes.
Clarington experienced significant flooding and as a result developed a comprehensive emergency response plan to be better prepared for the next flood event. You can learn more about the Clarington Emergency Plan.
Learn more from the IJC and a 2017 article from Durham Region News.
Photo Source: Red Cross Canada
Severe flooding affecting households, businesses, and infrastructure occurred in various areas of Ontario during the spring and summer of 2019. Emergency declarations were made by 23 municipalities and one First Nation. The Great Lakes also have experienced some of the highest water levels in decades, putting people and shoreline properties at risk.
The Provincial Government responded to these floods by appointing the Special Advisor on Flooding, who investigated the causes of flooding and suggestions for improving flood policy. Ontario's Flooding Strategy drew on the findings of the investigation and experiences from the 2019 floods.
