BRANTFORD – Both Six Nations of the Grand River and The City of Brantford declared a state of emergency Wednesday after several areas had to be evacuated due to rising water levels of the Grand River.
The Elected Council says residents from 744 Fourth Line West to Bateman Line are most at risk to experience flooding.
Vulnerable residents within this area are asked to contact Six Nations Home and Community Care at (519) 445-0077.
Since early Wednesday members of the Six Nations Fire and Emergency Services (SNFES) were assisting Six Nations residents evacuate voluntarily in areas that were susceptible to flooding.
Late this afternoon that voluntary assistance amped up with the council making a decision to issue an official state of emergency for the community.
The following roads have been closed, for community safety: Fourth Line West from Seneca Road to Bateman Line and Mohawk Road between Third Line and Fourth Line.
The Six Nations Social Services Gym in Ohsweken is open for residents if they have been affected by the floods.
A statement from SNEC says that the current flood levels are higher than the region normally sees. They say SNFES will continue to monitor the structural integrity of Chiefswood Bridge in case it needs to be closed.
Water levels are expected to continue to rise overnight.
The Council is warning people to exercise extreme caution around all water bodies. Keep children and pets away from all watercourses and off of frozen water bodies. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
Brantford also issued a state of emergency Wednesday morning and issued an immediate evacuation for residents in the Holmedale, Old West Brant and Eagle Place neighbourhoods.
A tweet from the city’s Twitter account urged anyone living in those areas to evacuate their homes, as well as offered support for those needing immediate help.
”Buses are available to help evacuate @ Eagle Ave & Foster St., Baldwin & Erie Ave, Erie & Aberdeen Ave,” the message advised, saying shelters were established in the Assumption College Gym and the Woodman Community Centre for residents in need.
Brantford Police are going door-to-door on at least the following affected streets and asking people to leave; Foster, Cayuga, Aberdeen, Strathcona, Pontiac, Tecumseh, Ontario, Port, Eagle Ave, Robertson, Denver and Baldwin.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) said Wednesday “an ice jam upstream of Parkhill Dam released at approximately 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. When this ice jam released, it sent a surge of water downstream.”
The GRCA warned the public in a post on its website.
”Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery at this time and, when combined with current weather conditions, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses and off frozen water bodies, which will be extremely unsafe as a result of the warming trend.”
County officials have convened and are prepared to offer support, in a number of ways, to the City of Brantford, Haldimand County and Six Nations.
Areas of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory have also been closed due to the rising water levels. Chiefswood Park is flooded, and ditches in and around the territory also have very high water levels. All cities and townships affected are urging community members to exercise extreme caution.
