Highlights:

• 20 to 35 mm of rain expected overnight and tomorrow, with more forecasted Saturday to Monday.
• Potential for ponding and localized flooding due to the rainfall.
• Local ditches, creeks and streams will rise and, depending on total rainfall, some could spill their banks.
• Thames River will rise and, depending on total rainfall, may flood low lying adjacent areas.

Message:

Weather forecasts are calling for 20 to 35 mm of rain this evening through tomorrow morning. Forecasts are also advising of the potential for an additional 10 to 20 mm rain from Saturday through Monday. The watershed hasn’t had a chance to dry out sufficiently since the rain late last week so the ground is fairly saturated and the rain will quickly make its way to local watercourses causing them to rise.

The large amount of rain predicted could lead to ponding and localized flooding in areas with poor drainage.

Local ditches, creeks and streams will rise overnight and throughout the day tomorrow. The higher rainfall amounts could cause some watercourses could reach bank full conditions, or cause some to spill their banks and flood low lying adjacent areas.

Water levels on the Thames River are slightly higher than usual due to the rain late last week. Water levels on the river could be expected to climb again. Should the higher rainfall amounts appear, there could be some flooding in the low lying areas adjacent to the river, from Delaware down to Chatham, including the sidewalk in downtown Chatham. Water levels could be expected to remain elevated into next week.

Although serious flooding is not expected, people should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams. The combination of slippery banks and fast moving water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.
This message will be in effect until May 3rd, 2019.

Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected], 519-354-7310 x227) regarding this message.