Flood watches called for regions of southwestern Ontario

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms passing through southern Ontario over the past few days have prompted several conservation authorities to warn the public of the potential for local rivers and streams to flood their banks.

Flood Watches have been issued by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, the Credit Valley Conservation Authority and Conservation Halton. These regions cover from London, Stratford and Woodstock, south through St. Thomas to the shores of Lake Erie, east to Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph, and through Milton, Burlington, Oakville, Bampton and Mississauga.

Residents in and around these areas are being advised that water levels of rivers and streams are expected to rise over the next few days and could remain high over the weekend. Caution should be taken if you live near waterways, and keep alert for changing conditions.

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The Ministry of Natural Resources Emergency Management website is also reporting that conservation authorities in the rest of southwestern Ontario, south-central Ontario and much of eastern Ontario have issued 'Watershed Condition Statements' advising of fast flowing rivers and streams, and potentially unsafe banks due to this large influx of rainfall. As stated by the Hamilton Conservation Authority statement: "Please exercise extreme caution near all water bodies as banks are slippery and water levels can change rapidly. Adults are advised to keep children and pets away from creeks at this time."

Updates to these watches and statements can be found on your local conservation authority website, or through the Ministry of Natural Resources.

(Photo courtesy: Michael Bertrand, @bertrand93)

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