Chatham-Kent remains in a state of emergency as runoff and debris continue to rage down the Thames River towards Lake St. Clair.
Here’s the view of the Thames River in Chatham officials at the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority have from their office. @CTVWindsor #ckont pic.twitter.com/Fi1IiP6aPA
— Chris Campbell (@CCampbellCTV) February 23, 2018
The Thames River peaked at 7am Saturday in Thamesville, bringing out emergency crews to rescue several residents surrounded by water. The river is expected peak in Chatham between 7pm and 9pm Saturday.
First transfer. Family of 5 rescued from Thomas St. in Chatham. #CKFLOOD2018 pic.twitter.com/BKmAqX1uTV
— CK Fire Department (@ckfiredept) February 24, 2018
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority reports water levels around record flood numbers in 1977 and could raise another foot, putting low-lying homes, basements and streets at risk.
#CKFLOOD2018 @CTVWindsor #ckont pic.twitter.com/go048xn3bk
— Chris Campbell (@CCampbellCTV) February 24, 2018
Fire and Emergency Services Chief Bob Crawford tells CTV Windsor's Bob Bellacicco it's all hands on deck in Chatham-Kent.
"Police, fire, EMS, engineering, all the agencies in our organization are working in close collaboration to make sure the residents are safe," says Crawford.
Some residents have it worse than others, Crawford added.
"In the community of Thamesville we do have water in a lot of back-yards and a lot of basements," he says. "So for those people, certainly the flooding is currently an emergency."
From the 3rd Street bridge in Chatham. @CTVWindsor at 6 pic.twitter.com/qHPkIEMV6f
— Bob BellaciccoCTV (@BBellaciccoCTV) February 24, 2018
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope says — with no fatalities reported as of Saturday night — the focus on safety continues to move downstream.
"We're now focused on emergency response systems in the city of Chatham, and those in the area's going from Chatham down to the Lighthouse [Cove]," says Hope.
He says the flood may be the worst in more than 30 years.
"We're projecting that we're just about as close as we were in 1985 when the flood of '85 flooded thousands of acres of agricultural land," he says.
Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain was in Chatham for an emergency meeting Saturday morning. He says seeing what's happened further up the river has everyone in Lighthouse Cove on alert.
"It's going to be coming to Lighthouse Cove Sunday Morning, so we're hoping to be prepared and be able to combat it the best we can," says Bain. "We don't have the high diking down there in Lighthouse Cove, so it could be a major problem for us down there when all this water reaches us."
Water levels are expected to peak in Lighthouse Cove early Sunday — the town has already begun distributing sandbags to residents to prepare for what's to come.
Officials are asking residents to avoid flooded areas and waterways, fast moving water can sweep a person downstream in seconds.
— with files from CTV Windsor's Bob Bellacicco and Chris Campbell.
Firefighters Phil & Tyler on Thomas St. off of Van Allen. about to rescue a family of five. #CKFLOOD2018 pic.twitter.com/8DdHilifd6
— CK Fire Department (@ckfiredept) February 24, 2018
Firefighters Scott & Brent on Thames St. in Chatham checking to make sure homes and business have been evacuated. #CKFLOOD2018 pic.twitter.com/RzvaoTje2V
— CK Fire Department (@ckfiredept) February 24, 2018