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London

Flood survival kit: Road closures, bus detours, trouble areas

The City of London closed several roads Tuesday afternoon because of rising water levels, and many more were added Wednesday morning.

Closures include major roads, including parts of Riverside Drive and Wonderland

The City of London is under a flood warning. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning and the cityclosed several roadsdue to rising water levels.

Drivers reported very slow commute times during this morning's commute,particularly for those travelling to London from areas west of the city.

City road closures

You may not recognize it, but this is the parking lot of the Grosvenor Street entrance to Gibbons Park. Look closely and you'll see the park's sign half submerged in water from the nearby Thames River. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)

The city is telling residents that there may be delays in their commute because of the closures.

"If there's a barricade on a road, please don't try to drive into any standing water or around any barricades," saidTeresaHollingsworth, a manager with theUpper Thames Conservation Authority. "The municipality is trying to keep you safe."

As of 2 p.m. today, the city closed the following roads:

  • Windermere Road between Doon Drive and Adelaide Street North.
  • Walnut Street, Cavendish Crescent and Wyatt Street
  • Empress Avenue between Argyle Street and Blackfriars Street.
  • Dingman Road between Old Victoria and Highbury Roads.
  • Westminster Road east of Wonderland Road.

Roads that have reopened:

  • Wonderland Road, north and southbound, at Riverside Drive.
  • Riverside Drive betweenWharncliffeRoad and Woodward Avenue.
  • Hamilton Road between Commissioners and Clarke Roads.
  • Third Street between Dundas Street and Parkhurst Avenue
  • Pine Street atHumeStreet and Adelaide Street
  • HumeStreet at Sycamore Street

Third Street betweenDundasStreet andParkhurstAvenue andPine Street at Hume Street and Adelaide Street wereclosed last night, but havesince reopened.

Bus detours

Several cars are submerged as the city's waterways rise. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)

The London Transit Commission reported several bus detours on Wednesday due to flooding.

Some route affected include:

  • Routes 9, 20 - both eastbound and westbound routes
  • Route 10 - northbound
  • Route 19 - both westbound and eastbound routes
  • Route 32 - eastbound and westbound routes

More details can be found here.

On the lookout

Residents are being asked to stay clear of Thames River. They're also being told to use cautionaround natural water bodies and storm water ponds

Flood coordinators continue to monitor the following locations in London:

  • WaubunoCreek
  • North Thames River
  • Parking lot adjacent toMcNayDrain in North Thames floodplain
  • City pumping station in Elgin Hall parking lot
  • Gibbons Park, Harris Park and Coves Trailer park
  • Monitor City dyke system
  • PottersburgCreek at Oxford Street
  • Thames River at Wellington and Front Streets
  • DingmanCreek
  • Western University: Elgin Hall and Talbot parking lots; Tennis Centre; Westminster residence

The city reports there is also a risk of flooding along Windermere Road, west of Adelaide Street.

The London Christian Academy on Charles Street is closed because of a power outage.

City warns of possible basement flooding

Floods caused problems throughout the morning Wednesday. This stairway is near Harris Park. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)

Meanwhile, the City of London is warning homeowners about the possibility of basement flooding.

The city's flooding tips include:

  • If you have abackwater valveand/orsump pump, ensure they are in good working order and are operational during this time.
  • Keep yourdrainsunobstructed do not pourgreasedown the drain or flush objects down the toilet.
  • Make sure downspouts slope away from the house.
  • Inspect your basement walls and floor forcracks.

Additional flooding resources are availablehere.

There's alsothese tipsto minimize flooding damage.

Residents can make service calls about a basement or yard flooding by calling the City at519-661-4570between8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m., or call519-661-4965 after hours.