On July 21, 2026, the Town of Lincoln, particularly in Beamsville, saw over 110 mm of rain in a short period of time, an unprecedented amount in recent years. This included wind gusts in excess of 65 km/hr. While municipalities across Niagara were impacted by this significant storm, Lincoln appears to have experienced some of the most severe rainfall and localized flooding in the region. I know many residents and businesses are dealing with flooded basements, damaged property, and the stress that comes with an event like this. On behalf of Council, our thoughts are with everyone affected. Over the past few days, I have walked through many of the roads and neighbourhoods affected by the flooding and spoken with residents firsthand. I know there are few words that can ease the frustration or undo the damage caused by a flooded basement or property. What I can assure you is that we are working closely with the Region to understand what more can, and should, be done to better protect our community and strengthen our response to events like this in the future.
I want to thank our Public Works, Fire, Municipal Enforcement, Communications, and other Town staff who responded throughout the day and continue to support recovery efforts. Their dedication ensured roads were reopened as quickly and safely as possible, problem areas were addressed, and residents received timely updates.
The Town works year-round to reduce the risk of flooding. Our Public Works team routinely inspects and clears catch basins throughout the municipality several times each year, with additional maintenance completed in advance of significant weather events whenever possible. We also continue to invest in stormwater infrastructure and ensure that new growth and development is designed so it does not negatively impact existing neighbourhoods or increase downstream flood risks.
No municipal drainage system is designed to accommodate every extreme weather event, and the intensity of the July 21 storm exceeded what infrastructure is typically built to manage. As these severe weather events become more frequent and climate instability becomes more pronounced, we remain committed to reviewing our infrastructure, identifying opportunities for improvement, and making strategic investments that strengthen our community's resilience.
Our focus now is on supporting residents through the recovery. The Town is working closely with the Niagara Region to facilitate additional waste collection for flood-damaged household items, and our staff continue to assess municipal infrastructure, respond to service requests, and assist where we can.
I encourage anyone who experienced damage to document it thoroughly, contact their insurance provider, and continue monitoring the Town's communication channels for updates on available supports and recovery efforts.
Lincoln is a resilient community. Time and again, we have come together during challenging circumstances, and I have no doubt we will do so again. Thank you to everyone who has shown patience, supported neighbours, and helped our community begin the recovery process.