After enduring a series of powerful storms, the aftermath of severe flooding in St. Catharines, Ont., is still visible with debris such as couches, mattresses, and drywall lining the streets. Mayor Mat Siscoe described these storms as the most significant the city has faced within a short span of 11 or 12 days.

The first storm was managed by the stormwater system, but subsequent storms overwhelmed the system due to already saturated ground, resulting in widespread overland flooding and sewer backups, including sewage seeping into homes.

One local farmer, Dave White of White Orchard Farms, took proactive measures to protect his garlic crop after experiencing flooding in the past. Despite his fields being submerged during the recent storms, his harvest was safe due to prior preparations.

In response to the flooding, White has been inundated with requests for restoration services from homeowners facing flooded properties, with some experiencing multiple flooding incidents in a short period.

The city of St. Catharines faces challenges in upgrading its aging drainage and sewage infrastructure, with only about 30% of the city having separate stormwater systems. While investments have increased in sewer systems over the past decade, the cost of completely overhauling the infrastructure is daunting.

The recent storms in the Niagara region exceeded the capacity of existing drainage infrastructure, with some areas receiving rainfall levels surpassing those considered in the design. The strain on treatment plants led to bypass states as they struggled to manage the excessive flow.

To address future flood risks, St. Catharines is looking into redesigning parks to absorb excess rainwater and incorporating stormwater retention requirements into new development projects. However, the city acknowledges that funding from provincial and federal sources is essential for the extensive infrastructure upgrades needed to mitigate future flooding incidents.