Flood warning issued for St. Thomas as forecast calls for a warm up and rain
CBC
The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for the entire St. Thomas, Ont., watershed ahead of significant rainfall over the next 36 hours.
Residents in Port Stanley, and low-lying areas in Belmont and St. Thomas are encouraged to prepare for flooding and monitor local conditions.
"Last week's thaw and high-water event helped to clear out a lot of ice from the upper reaches of the watershed," said Jennifer Dow, Water Conservation Supervisor for Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, in a statement.
"However, there remains a significant ice jam in Port Stanley that is currently located at the lift bridge, with ice cover extending out to the outer harbour. The timing and extent of flooding will depend on the amount of rain we receive Monday night and into Tuesday and how the remainder of the ice breaks up in Port Stanley."
The flood watch comes as Environment Canada is calling for up to 25 mm of rain in Southwestern Ontario, starting Monday night.
A low-pressure system could also bring an additional 5 to 10 mm of rain on Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to remain above zero, and possibly into the low double digits. This warming trend, combined with the forecast rain, will consolidate and begin to melt the snowpack. As there is uncertainty in the rain totals and type, there is also uncertainly in the forecast of runoff amounts.
There is a heightened risk of flash and localized flooding in low-lying areas and natural floodplain areas and parks that traditionally flood in the spring. River ice cover that was weakened or moved during last week's rainfall event may break up or jam.
Residents are advised to stay away from all waterways. Banks are extremely slippery and unstable. When combined with cold, fast-moving water, it poses a serious hazard.
According to the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Lake Erie is currently 81 per cent frozen and the near shore ice is approximately 2 to 6 inches thick.
