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Nearly two weeks after heavy rain submerged about 40 per cent of the Toronto Islands, residents and explorers are still there and learning to adjust.

In late May, Mayor John Tory toured the soaked island in very tall rubber boots. He announced ferry service would be closed to all except the island’s 700 or so residents and events would be suspended until at least July 31.

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Lake Ontario has risen to its highest level since 1974 and put more than 400 of the island’s structures — homes, facilities and businesses — at risk.

Though the floodwaters have receded slightly, the sandbags placed to soak up the rain and protect the island’s buildings and residents are working full time.

As the city’s industrial pumps remove up to 500,000 litres of water per hour from the islands, the mood is quiet.

Though there was no emergency evacuation of residents, relatively few choose to hang around their flooded out neighbourhoods during the day. Most residents take the ferry to the city and return in the evening with shopping bags.