Dryden

The decision to stay in an evacuation zone is never an easy one and it comes with its own set of challenges.

Chantal Tycholiz and her family made the decision to stay in their home when the evacuation order was issued on Friday, May 13.

"We're a family of four with pets, and I didn't think my 120 pound dog would be accepted at the [Evacuation Shelter]," said Tycholiz noting that her home wasn't at risk of flooding.

As of 5:00 am Monday, May 23:

Flooding on HWY 71 Northbound at Mayburn Road has closed one lane. Traffic control is in place.

Quibell Road is closed, between Hwy 647 and Hwy 609. No transports are allowed, Passenger vehicles only. Signage in place. Use extreme caution.

Blue Lake Loop Road to Quibell Road is restricted to local traffic due to flooding.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

These photos and video of flooding at Vermilion Bay's Government Dock were taken on Saturday, May 21.

Record levels of rain and snow in 2022 have led to flooding all across northwestern Ontario. These before and after photos and videos show the flooding along Eagle Lake in Vermilion Bay.

The video below showcases a deck under inches of water in May of 2022.

The video below was taken in 2021.

A number of residents north of the Kenora by-pass have been affected by the increasing water levels, forcing some to evacuate and others to stay home to protect their property.

Essex Road resident Lyle Sutherland and his family did what they could to protect their rental home, but eventually lost the battle on May 10, 2022, as their home was flooded and became unliveable.

As of 8:40 am Sunday, May 22:

Flooding on HWY 71 Northbound at Mayburn Road has closed one lane. Traffic control is in place.

Quibell Road is closed, between Hwy 647 and Hwy 609. No transports are allowed, Passenger vehicles only. Signage in place. Use extreme caution.

Blue Lake Loop Road to Quibell Road is restricted to local traffic due to flooding.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

As many as five people are dead and tens of thousands remain without power following a fierce storm that swept across Ontario and Quebec.

Gatineau police said a 51-year-old woman died when the boat she was in capsized in the Ottawa River near Masson-Angers, Que. during Saturday's storm.

Ontario Provincial Police said a 44-year-old man was killed in Greater Madawaska, west of Ottawa, after reportedly being struck by a falling tree, while police in Ottawa said one person died in the city's west end, but didn't release any further details.

A storm system Thursday through Friday dropped more rain across the waterlogged region.

Environment Canada says at the Kenora Airport, 22.5 mm of rain fell during the rainfall warning Thursday and Friday.

This brings the total rainfall in Kenora for May to 130.1 mm, well above the average monthly rainfall of 80.8 mm.

The rainfall record for May was set in 2007 when 215 mm of rain fell.

With 11 days left in the month, many are worried that the Kenora area will set back-to-back records for the wettest month of record.

As of 8:00 am Saturday, May 21:

Blue Lake Loop Road to Quibell Road is restricted to local traffic due to flooding.

Quibell Road is closed, between Hwy 647 and Hwy 609. No transports are allowed, Passenger vehicles only. Signage in place. Use extreme caution.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

Between Highway 647 and 609 are closed near Quibell Road to allow for repairs to the road. Traffic control is in place and no detour is available.

As we head into the first real long weekend of the spring, many visitors and residents will take to the outdoors to enjoy what northwestern Ontario has to offer, which could include a campfire to end the night.

Kenora Fire and Emergency Services wants residents and visitors to enjoy themselves this May long weekend but also wants fire safety to be a priority as well.