Highlights:

• A Special Weather Statement has been issued by ECCC due to rain and possible thunderstorms tomorrow.
• Forecasts of 10-20 mm of rain for tomorrow, with localized higher amounts possible from thunderstorms.
• 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.
• Thames River could rise and flood the low-lying areas adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Chatham.

Message:

A Special Weather Statement has been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) due to additional rain in the forecast for tomorrow. The Special Weather statement suggest the region could see 10-20 mm of rain tomorrow, with the possibility of thunderstorms. Given the recent rain and the lack of ground cover at this time of the year, most of this rain would be expected to run off into the region’s watercourses.

This additional rainfall could cause ponding, standing water, and localized flooding in some areas. While the water levels on the region’s smaller watercourses have started to drop, most are still running higher than usual. This additional rain would send water levels rising again, and some may spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas. If the forecasted rainfall amounts appear, the LTVCA would expect to operate the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham again.

The Thames River is also running higher than usual due to the recent rains. In Chatham, the river has risen above the sidewalk in the downtown. This additional rain would cause the Thames River to rise further. This could cause flooding of the low-lying areas adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Chatham. Water levels on the lower Thames River should be expected to remain high through the weekend in upstream areas through Middlesex and Elgin, and into the middle of next week in downstream areas through Chatham-Kent.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and stream that are running high. The combination of slippery banks and fast-moving cold 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 April 22nd.

Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])