Torrential downpours fell across Sarnia-Lambton Tuesday morning flooding roads, fields, and parking lots.
But Sarnia Director of Engineering David Jackson said overall the city wasn't inundated with flooding calls.
"We have about 10 to 15 basement backups and a number of cases where water seeped through foundations or through window wells, or sump pumps couldn't keep up," said Jackson. "So, overall, for the city it was generally pretty good. But, obviously, it's very challenging for the individual homeowners whenever we have those issues. It's a frustrating situation to deal with."
Flooding in Sherwood Village in Sarnia - July 16, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Shawn Gladwish)
Jackson said homeowners that experienced flooding or sewer backups are asked to notify the city, so they can track which areas were hardest hit.
"We do have a grant program to support backwater valves to help prevent sewer flooding," he said. "If there is sewer backup, we encourage the public to report those to us. They can call us or go to sarnia.ca/floodreport."
Jackson said for the most part the rain has subsided. He said there is a minor risk of roads flooding again with the chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday evening and overnight.
Environment Canada's Trudy Kidd said official rainfall totals for Sarnia-Lambton won't be available until Wednesday, however according to radar, rainfall amounts varied across the region.
"Sarnia saw not quite as much as maybe areas like Watford," said Kidd. "From Petrolia to Watford that sort of seems like the highest rainfall amounts from this morning and it looks like we're going to be seeing official values ranging between 40 to 70 millimetres in six hours."
Kidd said July is on track to be a wetter than normal month for Sarnia.
"A typical month of July would see 78.5 millimetres of rain, and so far, not including Tuesday's totals, Sarnia's reported 100 millimetres."