Highlights:
- Thunderstorms passed through the region last evening
- While some areas saw only a few millimetres of rain, others saw over 50 mm.
- Areas of ponding, standing water, and localized flooding could be expected around the region.
- Smaller watercourses could rise and some could spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas.
Message:
A series of thunderstorms passed through the region last evening. While some areas saw only a few millimetres of rain, other areas saw over 50 mm. Most of the rain seems to have fallen in a band from Chatham and Blenheim through to Southwest Middlesex and Dutton Dunwich. Even within that zone, rainfall was highly variable. Forecasts for today are not calling for any additional rain.
While the effects of last night’s rainfall have already passed for some areas that saw lower amounts of rain, other areas are still responding to the rain. Areas of ponding, standing water, and localized flooding can still be seen in some areas. Smaller watercourses, ditches, creeks and streams, in areas that saw higher rainfall amounts may still be rising, and some could spill their banks into nearby low-lying areas. Most of these watercourses should be expected to peak this morning, while a few of the larger ones may not peak until this afternoon. Water levels should be expected to remain high throughout the rest of the day. The LTVCA may still need to operate the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham.
Currently, the Thames River is not expected to rise significantly in response to the rain.
People should take extra caution and avoid the watercourses, ditches, creeks and streams that are running high. The combination of slippery banks and fast-moving water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children, pets, and livestock should be kept away from the water.
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory as necessary.
This message will be in effect until June 27th at noon.
Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])