Heavy Rainfall Warning Ended

A heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warning has ended for the Thunder Bay area.  Environment Canada issued the warnings earlier today after 40 millimeters of rain fell last night and another 30 millimeters was expected throughout today.  Meterologist Geoff Coulson says we can expect light rain throughout this evening. 

Flooding Kills Duluth Zoo Animals

It's a sad day at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota. The entire facility flooded as the result of the overnight rain and Development Director Anita Skutevik says almost a dozen barnyard animals died. She says some animals managed to swim out of their enclosures including one of their star attractions Berlin the polar bear. She says Berlin was tranquilized and is now recovering and doing fine. Two seals also managed to escape, but were captured a short time later.

Budget Passes

A summer election in Ontario has been averted with the passage of the minority government's budget. Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says he's glad the budget passed.  Right up until the vote the Liberals said they could not trust the New Democrats to keep their word and let the budget pass, but in the end the NDP did as promised.

Highway 597 Washed Out

OPP are reporting Highway 597 between Mannisto Road and Nicholson Road is closed. There was a wash-out and water is flowing over the highway. There's a detour at Mannisto road.

Project Supports Seniors With Dementia

St. Joseph's Care Group is introducing a new behavioral supports project for seniors with dementia. The money for the 1.2 million dollar plan has been approved through the Local Health Integration Network. Spokesperson Susan Pilatzke says the new project will mean new staff will be hired to develop the plan.

You Thought We Had It Bad

The City of Duluth, Minnesota is in a State of Emergency as the result of flooding caused by torrential rain.  Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says they received 175 millimetres overnight.   Just as people did during our storm last month people there are posting pictures on the local radio station website and it clearly shows the devastation.

Summer In The Parks Ready To Roll

The Summer in the Parks is kicking off on June 27. Eight outdoor concerts will be taking place over the summer featuring live music along with many more attractions, including childrens activities, artisan's market and on-site consessions. Summer in the Parks takes place every wednesday evening throughout the summer.

Duluth Streets Like Waterfalls According To Reporter

Thunder Bay's Sister City Duluth is experiencing similar flood conditions this morning to what we saw three weeks ago. Up to six inches, or 15 centimetres of rain has been reported in and around the city. Police are advising motorists not to go anywhere. Reporter Alan Hoglund of WDIO television news in Duluth says the streets were like rivers.

It's Not Over Till It's Over

It's steady as she goes for the city's sewage treatment plant after the overnight rainfall. Spokesperson Darrell Matson says they are monitoring the plant and he says "so far so good."   He says the plant responded well to the increased flow.   Matson says it's not over yet, there's more rain predicted and officials will continue to watch over the plant to avoid a flood like the one that happened three weeks ago.

No Flooding Reported By LRCA

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is monitoring area waterways for flooding.  So far the Authority says we received 40 to 50 millimetres of rain overnight and 10 to30 millimetres is expected today, maybe more in thunderstorms.  No major flooding is being reported, however the Flood Watch continues.

Highway 61 Washed Out In Spots Down To Duluth

Highway 61 South of the American Border is closed this morning because of washouts in spots, all the way down to Duluth. Duluth Police are advising against travel in the entire city of Duluth. Rainfall of more than 6 inches or 15 centimetres in spots was recorded in the city and along Highway 61 along the North Shore. Various American media outlets and law enforcement are reporting extensive damage in the city of Duluth itself, with roads starting to collapse along the hillside. There have been reports of people being rescued from their basement apartments, falling into sinkholes of collapsed roads and of rivers and streams taking over roadways. Highway 61 remains closed in various spots with washouts, overflowing streams and rivers, washed out culverts and washed out roads.

Cats To Make Up Rained Out Game Tonight

The Thunder Bay Border Cats will try and make up their rained out game against the Waterloo Bucks tonight at Subway field, if they can dodge the weather one more time. The two teams will try and play a "Twi-Night" double-header starting at 6:05. Both games will be seven innings long.

Bartolucci talks Ring Of Fire

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci continues to promote his government's commitments to developing the Ring of Fire.  Bartolucci was the key speaker at a mining forum in Thunder Bay today and told the audience about Ontario's recent signing of an updated contract with Webequie First Nation.  The Memorandum of Cooperation includes benefits for communities such as regional infrastructure and environmental monitoring.

Class Action Suit To Be Filed This Week

A proposed class action lawsuit against the City of Thunder Bay involving flood victims is expected to be filed within days. That's the word from lawyer Chris Watkins who says the number of people requesting involvement is growing rapidly and could reach up to 15 hundred participants over the next few weeks. Watkins says he has partnered with the Merchant Law Group, a top Canadian firm, to help with the case.

Donated Dollars Not Flowing Yet

The idea to distribute 350 thousand dollars raised by the Salvation Army to flood victims remains in limbo. Spokesperson Gail Kromm says the plan is still to help those with no or insufficient insurance, but in the meantime the organization will be providing support that will include food, clothing and furniture. Anyone who wants to apply has to make an appointment by calling 345-6492

Anglers Get Caught In Storm

A couple of anglers are fortunate to be alive after being caught in Monday's late afternoon thunderstorm.   They were out on Northern Light Lake in Nolalu when the storm hit.  A spokesperson at the resort says they simply anchored down in the middle of the lake and covered themselves up until the storm passed.   Meantime the resort is reporting there were some trees downed and hail damage to some trailers.

Ontario Chamber Gets NWO Input

The efforts continues to get the economic message of Northwestern Ontario to the rest of the province. Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Harold Wilson hopes a one day conference in the city today  helped in contributing to an economic vision the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has planned for the province.  Meantime Wilson credits the new president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce with paying more attention to Northwestern Ontario. He gives props to Allan O'Dette for taking the time to visit the area several times since he was elected.

Special Weather Statement Update

Thunder Bay, Atikokan, Upsala and Ignace are just some of the Northwestern Ontario Communities affected by a special weather statement. Environment Canada Meterologist Geoff Coulson says they won't know until this afternoon if Thunder Bay will get the lion's share of rainfall today. If we get hit by the brunt of the storm we can expect 50 to 75 millimeters of rain. Coulson notes most of the rain could fall in the communities to the west of us; with a possibility of the Lakehead region receiving 10 to 20 millimetres of rain.

PWU Wants Both Biomass & Natural Gas

Ontario's Power Workers Union wants Thunder Bay's coal fired power plant to use biomass.  The Province is shutting down all coal plants by 2014, and the local facility is scheduled to be converted into using natural gas.  Spokesperson Bob Menard says they want the local plant to use a mixture of both wood pellets and natural gas.  The union is holding a town hall meeting on the issue tonight at the West Thunder Community Centre.

L.R.C.A. Updates Possible Rainfall Amounts

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority continues its flood watch for Thunder Bay and surrounding area. They are advising that 15 to 20 millimetres of rain could fall this afternoon and overnight. An additional 15 to 20 millimetres is possible in severe thunderstorms or isolated areas.
Areas West of Thunder Bay could see higher rainfall amounts.