By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON October 29, 2012 With the impact of Hurricane Sandy already beginning to make itself felt the city has begun to staff up to respond to what looks like a very nasty situation.
Storm sewer catch basins are the prime focus for the early part of the storm that may last through to Thursday of this week.
Once the hard part of the weather has passed, the focus will shift to emergency response work where they have to deal with fallen trees, blocked roads and downed hydro lines.
Avoid this – by cleaning the catch basins outside your home – and if there are seniors on your street – do theirs as well.
To help prevent flooding on street level, the city encourages residents to pitch in by clearing nearby street catch basins of leaves and debris. At the same time, the city reminds residents that creek catch basins and culverts are dangerous during storms, and residents are reminded to keep a safe distance from open water.
This is what we need to avoid. If you clear the catch basin a couple of times the next few days we can avoid problems like this.
“These are exceptional circumstances,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure. “The wind has blown most of our leaves off at once, and the rain is driving them towards catch basins. We’re clearing the grates as quickly as we can, but it would make a huge difference if folks took the time to make sure the sewer grates on their streets are free of debris and flowing smoothly. We’re in this together.”
Roads and parks maintenance department staff will be working through the evening and overnight to monitor conditions and address situations as they arise
The fire department is scheduling extra firefighters and 9-1-1 emergency communications staff to address an anticipated spike in emergency incidents.
The city will update its website, www.burlington.ca, as further information becomes available.
