Members of Chatham-Kent Fire Service, EMS and Community Human Services are going door-to-door in the village of Erieau and visiting residences in the potential flooding area to provide residents with emergency preparation information in case of a possible failure of the Erie Shore dike.
Fire Chief Chris Case said residents will be advised that they need to ensure they have adequate food, water emergency supplies and medication. Residents who are not at home will have contact information left at their door informing them that an active emergency exists in the area and requesting that they contact the municipality at 519-360-1998 to discuss emergency planning.
“We’re here to offer residents support and advise them there are steps they can take to help ensure their safety as well,” he said in a media release.
The municipality’s main phone line at 519-360-1998 will be staffed Friday night until 8 p.m. In addition, that number will be staffed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Additional information on preparing for an emergency can be found at https://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/bepreparedPromotionalMaterial/PrintMaterials.html
Free moving boxes remain available at the Erieau Fire Hall from 10 a.m. to six p.m.
Kent Centre garage is delivering more sand to Erie Shore Drive for owners to use to fill sand bags. The location for sand has been moved to the corner of Erie Shore Drive and Bisnett Line.
Erie Shore Drive and the area protected by the dike have been in a state of emergency since last Friday due to the elevated possibility for a dike failure that could lead to flooding of 1,600 acres of land and homes to the north of the dike.
The municipality has urged all residents within the soon-to-be closed section of Erie Shore Drive to evacuate their homes. Once the road is closed, residents will not have public access to their properties.
Chatham-Kent Council Monday unanimously ordered the closure of that section of the road from Erieau Road to 18416 Erie Shore Drive effective at 12:01 a.m. March 9 in order to allow repairs to the dike.
Individuals who don’t live on Erie Shore Drive or are not involved in helping residents move are requested to avoid the area due to possible issues with congestion.
