Highlights:

• Water levels on the lower Thames River will continue to rise for at least another few days.
• An additional 20 to 50 mm of rain is expected, while the river in peaking in Chatham.
• Areas of ponding, standing water and localized flooding is expected with the rain.
• Smaller watercourses expected to rise, and some may spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas.
• Depending on the rainfall amounts and timing, there could be flooding of properties along the Thames River.
• If flood protection infrastructure can’t keep up with the rain, there could possibly be some flooding of properties along Indian Creek.

Message:

A warm weather system, rain and melting snow from last week had led to a rise in water levels throughout the Thames River watershed. Water levels are now dropping on the region’s smaller watercourses. The Thames River in London has also peaked and water levels there are beginning to fall. That water from upstream is now making its way down the lower Thames River, where water levels are still rising in response. Weather forecasts are calling for a significant rainfall of between 20 and 50 mm for the period overnight Tuesday through Wednesday. The possibility of thunderstorms could lead to locally higher amounts.

The Thames River peaked at the gauge in Byron late yesterday evening and has begun to drop. River levels around Dutton were expected to peak overnight tonight, around Thamesville overnight Tuesday, and in Chatham on Wednesday. However, this could change as the significant rain in the forecast would add to the river flows as the river is peaking in the Thamesville to Chatham area.

The forecasted rains are expected to create areas of ponding, standing water, and localized flooding around the watershed. Smaller watercourses in the region will rise again and some may spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas.

The Thames River will continue to flood the low-lying areas adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Thamesville. How high the river will reach in Chatham will depend on many factors, including both the amount of rainfall received and the timing. In Chatham, with the expected amount of rain, the flooding of the basements of those businesses along King Street should be expected. Unless the lower end of the rainfall appears, there could also be flooding on Siskind Court. If the higher rainfall total appears, there could potentially be flooding closer to what was seen in 2018. This could potentially include flooding along William Street at Water Street, Salter Street, Thames Street near Pitt and Kent Streets, and Pegley Court West. The LTVCA expects to be operating the 6th St. Dam and Pumping Station in Chatham.

The LTVCA expects to again operate the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham. The Diversion Channel works together with the 6th St. Dam and Pumping Station to protect the south side of Chatham from flooding. However, this system, like all infrastructure, has its limits. With the 6th St. Dam closed to protect the south side from flooding from high water levels on the Thames River, the pumping station may not be able to keep up with the higher rainfall amounts in the forecast. If the pumping station is unable to keep up, there could be flooding in south Chatham along Indian Creek, in the areas around Tissiman Avenue, Queen Street at Tissiman, Indian Creek Road and Algonquin Drive.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams. The combination of slippery banks, and fast-moving cold water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. People should stay out of any flooded areas and not drive through flooded roadways. Children, pets, and livestock should be kept away from the water. It is not safe to take shelter along riverbanks or in low lying areas that are prone to flooding.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory as necessary.

This message will be in effect until March 12th.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) regarding this message.