A water main break caused extensive flooding and damage to the basement of St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener.

EMS crews were being redirected to nearby hospitals and visitors were asked to stay home as repairs were made.

The Kitchener Fire Department said they were called just before 5:00 a.m. after a water main break in the parking lot caused flooding in the loading dock, leading to about five feet of water in the basement.

Kitchener Utilities said water and gas to the hospital had been turned off.

The hospital said that they were still able to provide quality patient care, and that the building had not been evacuated.

In a statement, President Don Shilton said,

“As a result of the flood, emergency planning teams were immediately notified and began acting to ensure patient and staff safety was priority. Our emergency response team responded quickly, and at this point we don’t feel there is a risk to quality of patient care and our clinical teams are on standby should anything change.”

He added,

“Power, heat and fresh water supply are in full operation in all staff and patient care areas and patient care continues as usual. At this point we’re assessing how to proceed with tomorrow’s surgeries, diagnostic testing and additional patient activity and whether cancellations are required. If cancellation is necessary, we will contact affected patients directly.” 

A Grand River Hospital spokesperson said staff there were looking to discharge patients in their care who were ready to go home, to help open up space to care for added patients who will be brought to GRH, while ambulances were diverted from St. Mary’s.

As the day progressed, a media release from the hospital stated that all surgical procedures had been cancelled for Monday, and affected patients would being called directly.

Patients, visitors and staff who have questions about the current flooding at the hospital can call them at 519-749-6788.

Homes nearby the hospital also experienced heavy flooding.

Many residents woke up to flooded basements.

“I woke up to water running from the basement. I wasn’t sure what was going on, and it was just getting higher and higher and higher. That’s what I woke up to,” said Deb Forsythe.

The longer the water sits in the basement, the worse the damage will be.

 "It is sewage water, it means everything is dirty, everything has got to go," said Thomas Jewett, project manager at Golden Triangle Restoration.

CIty officials handed out flyers to home owners, with information about how to make a claim, if the damage was caused by the city; they have 10 days to submit claims.