Parking lots across campus have reopened this morning as Western joins the rest of Southwestern Ontario in drying out after a record-setting rain swept through the region this weekend.
As of 6 a.m., all campus parking lots have reopened.
The foot bridge between Westminster Hall and the Chemistry Parking Lot, as well as the pathway under University Drive Bridge (part of the Thames Valley Parkway), remain closed.
While ice patches have been salted, Western officials are urging campus community members to take extra care and stay clear of waterways on campus.
London received 56.6 mm of rain Saturday. Environment Canada said that amount broke two records: 1. Most daily rainfall for Jan. 11. Previous record was 33.2 mm in 1980. 2. Most rain for a single day in January. Previous record was 45 mm on Jan. 4, 1993.
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Flooding still impacting parking (update 9:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Jan. 12 9:30 p.m.
The Western campus joins the rest of Southwestern Ontario this evening in drying out after a record-setting rain swept through the region this weekend.
As of 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Medway, Talbot and Chemistry parking lots remain closed due to flood waters. The foot bridge between Westminster Hall and the Chemistry Parking Lot also remains closed.
The Chemistry lot is expected to re-open early tomorrow morning.
Western officials will continue to monitor water levels overnight and communicate the decision whether the Medway and Talbot lots will reopen, shortly after 6 a.m. tomorrow.
Should the lots remain closed, motorists who park in Medway and Talbot will be redirected to other lots, subject to availability. Alternative parking can be found at Chemistry, Middlesex, Visual Arts, South Valley, Springett and Huron Flats lots.
London received 56.6 mm of rain Saturday. Environment Canada said that amount broke two records: 1. Most daily rainfall for Jan. 11. Previous record was 33.2 mm in 1980. 2. Most rain for a single day in January. Previous record was 45 mm on Jan. 4, 1993.
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Flooding forecast forces parking lot closures
Thursday, Jan. 9 8:54 p.m.
Western officials are closing a handful of parking lots across campus as the threat of weekend flooding looms over the region.
The Medway and Talbot parking lots, as well as the east section of the Chemistry lot, will be closed at 3 p.m. Friday. Alternative parking can be found at Chemistry, Middlesex, Visual Arts, South Valley, Springett and Huron Flats lots for all permit types, as well as visitors.
Facilities Management officials are encouraging campus community members to move their vehicles to the alternative lots on Friday evening, in advance of the potential flood threat. Students in residence may wish to plan ahead by ensuring their vehicle is not left in the Medway lot heading into the weekend.
Vehicles left in restricted areas as of Saturday morning will be towed to safe zones by Campus Police.
Widespread precipitation is forecast across southwestern Ontario, beginning Friday morning and continuing until late Saturday. Current forecasts call for a combined total over the two days between 60-90 mm of rain, with the bulk falling on Saturday.