Heavy rain in Greater Sudbury is creating major water and pothole problems, city officials said Wednesday.
Joe Rocca, the city’s director of linear infrastructure services, said all city crews and contractors have been deployed to combat rising water levels and the widespread potholes that the rain is creating.
Environment Canada issued a heavy rainfall warning for the city Wednesday, with 25-35 mm of rain falling on largely frozen ground.
“The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall,” the warning said.
Rocca told CTV News that many catch basins in the city are either covered with snow or still frozen, so the rainfall is not draining in many areas.
“Some have to be steamed open,” he said. “Crews are out everywhere.”
The city’s 311 service has gotten more than 800 Wednesday, mainly for concerns about rising water levels and the surge of potholes, Rocca said.
“This rain really invites potholes to form,” he said.
Plows have been deployed to many sideroads to clear out the “wet sloppy snow” he said, with crews working as quickly as they can.
“We’re asking people for a little patience,” Rocca said.
A big help would be anyone who is able to unclog catch basins near their homes, he added.
While the city has received numerous reports of ponding, he said he’s unaware of homes being flooded as of Wednesday afternoon.
As the temperature drops, Rocca said the rain is expected to turn into snow. Crews will be out again to plow that snow and to sand icy areas that emerge as the water freezes.
Environment Canada said conditions may become hazardous and the rain turns to snow.
“Ice pellets and freezing rain may occur during the transition,” Environment Canada said.
“Snow and local blowing snow may result in hazardous travel Thursday morning.”
Click here for up-to-date flood conditions.
