Heavy rain descends on Kingston from Hurricane Beryl

Local Journalism Initiative

July 10, 2024 at 4:28 p.m.·3 min read

Kingston is among cities in the country receiving weather warnings on Wednesday as remnants of Hurricane Beryl make their way to Canada.

Texas was hit by the brunt of the hurricane over the weekend, after it passed through a number of Caribbean Islands, with at least 9 people dying in the state and nearly 3 million losing power due to the storm.

The damage in the United States is estimated to be somewhere between $750 million and $1.2 billion.

The sheer force of the storm this early into hurricane season is worrying for some experts, anticipating that the peak season later in the summer could be "very busy", predicting as many as 12 hurricanes to form.

On Wednesday, with heavy rainfall expected to hit Kingston among other areas in Ontario and Quebec, the city sent out a notice for residents to be prepared for the effects of heavy rain as it is expected in the area from Wednesday through Friday.

The notice highlights preparing oneself and their property for downpours, as well as safety around bodies of water, noting that Cataraqui Conservation released a Water Safety warning.

"The remnants of Hurricane Beryl is moving towards the Lower Great Lakes. With a forecasted range of 25 – 75 mm rainfall for July 10 - 11, there remains considerable uncertainty," Cataraqui Conservation's statement reads.

"Cataraqui Conservation is urging caution, particularly around all dams (inflow and outflow channels), fast-flowing watercourses, and stormwater ponds. Respect the hazards in these areas by obeying all warning signs, and keep away from booms, buoys, and barriers. Stay well back from the water’s edge above and below dams and hydroelectric stations. Creek banks and lake shorelines may be slippery, increasing the chance of falling in."

The organization noted that at this time flooding is not expected, but conditions will continue to be monitored and the Watershed Conditions Statement will remain in effect through Friday July 11.

While there's only so much to be done to prepare against the anticipated downpour, the City of Kingston tells residents to clear their gutters and move valuables to higher ground if flood risk increases, while Utilities Kingston offered facts about basement flooding and tips for those who have it happen at their property.

Kingston was expected to get 40 to 50 mm of rain during the day on Wednesday and an additional 20 to 30 mm alongside possible thunderstorms on Wednesday night.

Environment Canada forecasts more rain for Thursday through Saturday, but it is expected to taper off as the week stretches on - the heaviest rain was expected to come on Wednesday morning.

While people in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada are experiencing mass rainfall thanks to Hurricane Beryl, Western Canada is experience severe heat - with temperature forecasts for Edmonton reaching as high as 37 degrees on Wednesday, and on Tuesday close to three dozen heat records in BC were broken.

In response to rain conditions, the city closed CaraCo Home Field turfs and running track as well as the Culligan Water Park on July 10, and are monitoring road conditions as storms continue.

Owen Fullerton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, YGK News

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