WHEREAS, extreme weather, such as short-duration high-intensity storm events, have been predicted to increase as a result of climate change;
AND WHEREAS, a 100-year storm event passed through Mississauga on July 16th, 2024 delivering 106mm of total rainfall;
AND WHEREAS, the total rainfall from the July 16th event is equivalent to the average total rainfall within the month of July, but fell within two hours;
AND WHEREAS, considerable flooding occurred throughout the City, both on public lands but also substantively on private lands;
AND WHEREAS, hazardous conditions were created due to flooding, such as at the Tyndall Seniors Village where emergency services were required to utilize rafts to evacuate the residents;
AND WHEREAS, in the past 20 years, there have been three other 100-year storm events striking Mississauga causing extensive flooding and damage to both public and private lands, including on August 19th, 2005 delivering 130mm of total rainfall, and approximately $500 million in damages, August 20th, 2009 delivering 120mm of total rainfall, and approximately $500 million in damages, July 8th, 2013 delivering 121mm of total rainfall and approximately $1 billion in damages;
AND WHEREAS, the City has and continues to invest strategically and heavily in storm water management and climate mitigation through funding of the Capital Plan by the Storm water Charge for initiatives such as Cooksville Flood Mitigation projects, Lisgar Storm water Pumping Stations, the Little Etobicoke Creek Flood Evaluation Study and the Dixie-Dundas Flood Mitigation project;
AND WHEREAS, there are many potential strategic investments that can be made for storm water mitigation.
LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT, Staff report back to Council in September based on the findings related to the July 16th storm event and provide commentary on immediate, short term, mid-term and long-term actions the City should consider in regard to matters in and outside the Capital Plan;
AND FURTHER THAT, the City will continue to collaborate with the Region of Peel, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, Conservation Halton and any other stakeholders committed to actions and solutions that will mitigate flooding and provide flood protection to residences, businesses and public and private lands;
AND FURTHER THAT, the City hold debrief sessions together with the above-captioned stakeholders regarding the flood event on July 16, 2024 which includes exploring opportunities/measures to reduce flood risk and minimize flood impacts and associated costs such as, for example, improved flood forecasting and monitoring systems, flood detection and emergency operations alert and emergency management;
AND FURTHER THAT, the City hold a public information session in September to provide a review of the July 16, 2024 storm and to educate residents and business owners on the City’s stormwater infrastructure and how it is intended to function, investments made and planned, flood prevention tips, programs and subsidies that are available, and related information to equip residents in mitigating impacts of potential future flood events;
AND FURTHER THAT the City will pursue all lines of appeal to higher levels of government for financial support for flood mitigation, response and emergency planning.