On the afternoon of March 16, 2025, heavy rainfall combined with warm temperatures led to significant flooding in several areas of the Village of Westport, particularly along Concession Street and George Street. Around 5:20 PM, Concession Street near Whalen Street, close to the gas station, saw flooding that took many residents by surprise. While this area has experienced flooding in the past, this was the first time in recent memory that it happened so quickly, just a day before St. Patrick’s Day.
One local resident shared how a flash flood caused water to surge from the ditch and spread up to 15 feet onto their property, bringing with it large debris, including fallen branches and a beach ball. The Village of Westport responded quickly, clearing the debris to prevent further damage.
Another area impacted was the creek on George Street, between Spring and Bedford. The creek overflowed due to the combination of melting snow and heavy rain. A local resident contacted the Town of Westport and was informed that flooding occurs annually in this area. However, there is ongoing concern over the undersized culvert on Bedford Street, which may be contributing to the overflow.
While some attribute the flooding to increased development in the area, many believe the rapid snowmelt combined with heavy rainfall and warmer temperatures created the perfect storm, causing widespread flooding not only in Westport but across the Ottawa region. Many streets in Ottawa also experienced flooding, with cars half-submerged and basements affected.
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