Highlights:

• Special Weather Statement and Winter Storm Warning still in effect
• Rainfall totals between 10 and 35 mm have been reported around the watershed
• Areas of ponding, standing water and localized flooding seen around the watershed
• Some smaller local watercourses have risen and spilled their banks.
• Ice on the Thames River has begun to lift and will need to be watched for breakup.

Message:

The Special Weather Statement and a Winter Storm Warning are still in effect from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Areas around the Lower Thames watershed have seen rainfall totals ranging from 10 to 35 mm, with most of the rain falling this morning. Forecasts and weather radar suggest that the bulk of the rain has now moved past our region. Temperatures are expected to drop beneath freezing over the next few hours and any further precipitation is predicted to fall as freezing rain or snow. Most of the snow has melted out of the western portion of the lower Thames watershed and the eastern portion of the watershed has lost much of its snowpack.

With the melting snow and rain, the region has already seen ponding, standing water and localized flooding in low lying areas and areas of poor drainage. Smaller local watercourses have risen and some have already spilled their banks. It appears that there is still snow and ice in many of these watercourses and that is adding to the drainage issues. As the rain has only recently dropped off, water levels are still expected to rise on many of our local ditches, creeks and streams. Water levels on McGregor Creek in Chatham-Kent have already risen enough that the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel is being operated.

Given that this winter storm event is not even over yet, it is still too early to know how high flows may get on the Thames River and whether there will be any flooding of the low lying river flats adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Chatham.

Given that most of the rain has not yet made its way to the Thames River, it is still possible that the Thames River will rise up enough to cause the river ice to break up and begin moving. The ice on the river should no longer be considered safe. Water levels on the Thames River around Dutton have already risen around 2 m and the ice is coming free from the banks. Around Thamesville, the water level has risen around 1 m and in Chatham it has risen around 20 cm. If the ice begins to break up, the river will need to be watched closely for the possibility of ice jams.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams. The ice on the river should no longer be considered safe. The combination of slippery banks, broken or unstable ice and fast moving cold water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children and 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 February 19th, 2022.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])