DESIRÉE DECOSTE

STAFF WRITER

**Five additional locations are now available for sand and sandbags for residents needing to protect against property damage due to high water levels.**

As of Tuesday, five locations in Prince Edward County were available for self-serve sandbagging in order to allow the public to prepare for Lake Ontario’s rising water levels. The County wants to remind residents social distancing is still in effect and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by maintaining a distance of 2 metres from one another when filling up sandbags.

Lake Ontario’s water level is 52 cm (20.5 in) above average and 23 cm (9 in) above the level recorded at this time last year. The County continues to use its geographic information systems to identify areas that are potentially vulnerable to flooding.

The County this week is distributing sand and sandbags in the following locations with sign out sheets and a number to call if no sandbags are left:

Hiscock Shores Road sign out sheet box. (Desirée Decoste/Gazette Staff)

15 Coleman Street, Ameliasburgh
5567 Highway 62, Rossmore (BayBridge Jeans)
Hiscock Shores cul-de-sac, Hillier
Sunrise Drive cul-de-sac, Ameliasburgh
75 County Road 1, Sandy Hook Dome

And as of March 27, now also at the following locations:

Waupoos Community Centre, 2699 County Road 8 (North Marysburgh)
South Marysburgh Fire Hall, 30076 County Road 10
35 County Road 14, Sophiasburgh
Mariners Park Museum, County Road 10 and County Road 13, South Shore
230 Niles St., Wellington

Sandbags are available daily between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm. The sandbags are self-serve, and residents must bring their own shovels to fill bags.

The Emergency Management Control Group is actively monitoring the situation and will make sand and sandbags available in additional locations as necessary.

The municipality is protecting key roads where access is threatened during high water levels. Water bags will be used along Hiscock Shores Road and County Road 21 to Big Island. The water bags will reduce the need for straw bales, which were used last year. The municipality intends to raise the road on Wallbridge Circle, Welsey Acres Road, and Winns Drive.

Stay up to date on The County’s flood preparedness plans or find resources and tips to prepare for high water levels here http://www.thecounty.ca/county-government/emergency-services/flood-watch/

You can also sign up for flood updates by emailing communications@pecounty.on.ca.

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