Significant weather event declared in St. Catharines after regional flooding, power outages

The City of St. Catharines has declared a significant weather event to warn residents that the city may not be able to meet its normal maintenance standards.

Environment Canada reports that anywhere from 20-35 mm of rain fell in the Niagara region over a six-hour period, with heavier rain localized around Lincoln.

Around 9 a.m. Tuesday, Niagara Peninsula Energy reported around 30 customers without power in the areas of Beamsville and Lincoln, with over 200 affected overnight.

The City of St. Catharines says the area saw 138.75 mm of rain during the storm.

Utility workers are pictured attempting to restore power in Niagara-on-the-Lake on July 28, 2026. (Image courtesy of Tristen Castro)

CHCH News viewers in north St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake reported basement flooding. One Vine Street resident in St. Catharines said there were two feet of water in his basement.

A St. Catharines, Ont. resident is pictured in his flooded basement on July 28, 2026. (Danielle de Graauw/CHCH)

St. Catharines is offering the washrooms and showers at the Kiwanis Aquatics Centre for those impacted by flooding. The washrooms at Port Weller Community Centre, St. Catharines City Hall, the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre and the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre are all available to the public during regular business hours.

The city says while the lobby, washroom and showers at the Kiwanis Aquatics Centre are open, the pools are closed until further notice due to the impacts of flooding in part of the building.

The City of St. Catharines posted on social media that sports fields are closed on Tuesday and that trails are “temporarily closed until further notice” due to flooding and water damage from the storm.

The Garden City Golf Course is also closed until further notice, according to the city.

“We strongly urge residents to stay clear of creeks, rivers, and watercourses due to slippery banks and elevated water levels. Residents should also avoid areas in City parks and along trails with standing water, flooding, or erosion until crews can assess conditions and make repairs,” read a statement posted on the city’s Facebook page.

Today’s forecast for St. Catharines and Niagara Falls has a 40 to 70 per cent chance of rain, with risk of thunderstorms with up to five mm of rain projected.

Residents of St. Catharines looking for information on basement flooding can visit the city’s website.

This is a developing story. More to come.