More than half of buildings on Toronto Islands threatened by rising water levels
Posted May 19, 2017 11:35 am.
Last Updated May 19, 2017 11:50 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
More than half of the buildings on the Toronto Islands are being threatened by rising water levels in Lake Ontario that have already closed the popular summer destination to the general public.
Toronto Mayor John Tory, who toured the area on Friday, said 261 buildings, or about 52 per cent of the structures on the islands, are at risk of damage from flooding. About 40 per cent of the Toronto Island Park is already under water.
Tory said the potential damage to beaches and buildings along the island means the public cannot visit the area safely for some time.
“We can’t have people even where it appears to be dry walking around because there are buildings that are at risk,” Tory said. “We just don’t need them to be in a place that’s potentially unsafe or to be possibly causing further risk to those buildings.”
Watch video below of giant carp swimming on the road on Ward’s Island as water levels continue to rise, or click here to view it.
Tory said industrial pumps are currently removing 500,000 litres of water per hour from the islands, and thousands of sandbags have been set up along the shoreline.
Unusually high water levels in Lake Ontario brought on in part by heavy rains in recent weeks have largely shuttered parts of the islands, which boast beaches, an amusement park and other tourist attractions. There are also a number of private homes on the islands.
The city said permits for events on the island have been cancelled until June 30, and ferry service is restricted to residents and staff only.
It has said that water levels are not expected to return to normal for several weeks even without further precipitation.
Related stories:
Island Public School relocated due to Toronto Island flooding
Centreville, Toronto Islands closed due to high water levels
Video: High water levels hurting Toronto Island businesses
