Quinte could see flooding

BELLEVILLE – The ice on the Moira River continues to build up. With spring weather on its way, this could cause major flooding in the Quinte region. Photo By Andrew Heliotis

By Andrew Heliotis

BELLEVILLE – If all this winter’s snow melts quickly, residents of the Belleville area may truly find out just how wet water can be.

The last time there was major flooding along the Moira River, in 1981, the city was plunged into a state of emergency. With this year’s buildup of snow, similar conditions to 1981 may be not far behind.

Quinte Conservation spokesperson Jennifer May Anderson says the amount of ice built up on the Moira River – the main source that feeds the Bay of Quinte – is what is causing flooding concerns.

“As snow and ice melt in the upper part of the watershed, all that moves through the water system until it gets to the Bay of Quinte,” Anderson said.

If the area continues to see temperatures well above freezing then Belleville could look a lot like it did back in 1981.

Wayne Telford, 53, has lived in the area his entire life. He remembers the flood in 1981 well.

Telford recalls seeing a man canoeing on the main street of Foxboro. “The water was right up to the main drag, and he was actually canoeing out of his house. So you can imagine the amount of water in basements,” said Telford.

There is no way to say for certain how much water could pour out onto the streets in Belleville. If we get more of the unseasonably warm weather that we experienced, residents in low lying areas may have to take extra precautions.

The Quinte Conservation website has a page devoted to water levels and water management. For further information on how to deal with flooding, and signs to look for to stay safe, click here.