• September 29, 2016; The rain gauge at the Windsor Airport measured 78 millimetres of rain in 24 hours; the rain gauge in the east end of the City measured 106mm. Approximately 2,800 calls reporting basement flooding were received.

• August 29, 2017 - more than 200 millimetres of rain in parts of Windsor-Essex and caused more than $175 million in insured damages in Windsor alone. More than 6,000 calls reporting basement flooding were received. This was the largest single flood event in our City’s recorded history.

As a result of the 2016 and 2017 floods in Windsor, Insurers paid claims totalling approximately $300 million.

In response to the record 2017 flood event, City Council approved the following 8-Point Plan to address flooding in Windsor.

1. The City of Windsor will undertake an immediate review of development policies in conjunction with the Town of Tecumseh as it relates to sewer management to ensure the system can handle increased development.

2. The City will fund 100% of the cost of installing a backflow valve and sump pump through the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy. First priority will be to residents who have experienced basement flooding.

3. The City of Windsor is investigating adding the disconnection of weeping tiles from the sanitary to the storm sewer to the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy program.

4. The City of Windsor is also investigating the addition of sewage ejection pumps to the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy program as well as the possibility for inclusion for future development projects.

5. The City of Windsor will implement a mandatory downspout disconnection policy with exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

6. The City of Windsor will expedite completion of the Riverside Vista project between St. Rose and Ford Blvd at an additional cost of approximately $7 million outside of what's currently included in the 5-year capital budget.

7. The City of Windsor will expedite completion of the Sewer Master Plan. City Council will be asked to sole-source phase II to Dillon Consulting who is currently undertaking the phase I report.

8. The City of Windsor strongly urges the Government of Ontario to establish a provincial insurance plan that will allow affected residents to purchase affordable flood insurance where no option is available. The City also urges the Government of Ontario to make immediate changes to the Disaster Recovery Assistance program that currently excludes coverage for homeowners who experience sewer backup.

As a result of Point #7 of the 8-Point Plan above, on November 6, 2017, Council provided approval to retain Dillon Consulting Limited to develop the Sewer Master Plan (CR660/2017).