FLOOD WATCH – UPDATE (Issued January 10, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.; Valid until January 13, 2020)

Forecasts have not changed significantly since the previous Flood Watch bulletin was issued on January 08. Light rain has started across the region, and is expected to become heavier at midnight tonight. Updated rain forecasts range from 50 mm to 75 mm, with most forecasts predicting approximately 70 mm by early Sunday. Environment Canada has forecast a potential for thundershowers as well during this period, which could increase local rainfall amounts.  There is still some uncertainty as to the temperature later in the day on Saturday, with a possibility that freezing rain may develop. Ground conditions are generally wet and/or frozen, and most snow has already melted.

With the lower forecast amounts, streams and rivers will be out of bank in some areas, and inundating low lying flood plains. If higher rainfall forecasts materialize, flooding will increase, but water levels should remain below those experienced in February 2018.

Peak flows should develop beginning Sunday morning in upstream areas (Mitchell, Stratford, Tavistock, Ingersoll) and during the day on Sunday in London, on the main river. River flows will remain higher than normal for several days into next week, increasing the safety risk around rivers and streams throughout the watershed.

Areas which have flooded historically include:
City of Woodstock: Thames River at Highway 2; Cedar Creek at Southside Park
East Zorra-Tavistock: Braemar Trailer Park
Zorra: Ponderosa Trailer Park
Thames Centre: Village of Putnam south of Highway 401; Reynolds Creek – Golden Pond Trailer Park
Mitchell: Intersection of St George and Adelaide (south end of Parmalat)
Perth South: Prospect Hill Campground
West Perth: Motherwell area
City of Stratford: Dolan Drive; Avon Cemetery; Stratford Golf and Country Club
Town of St. Marys: Thomas Street between Park and Queen Streets; Parkview Drive; St. Marys Golf & Country Club
Middlesex Centre: Former Lady of Lourdes Catholic School site; River Road
City of London:
– Windermere Road and Adelaide Street
– Pumping station and London Hydro substation at west end of Kilally Road
– Parking lot adjacent to McNay Drain in North Thames floodplain behind apartment
– Parking lot behind Richmond apartments (across from Bernard Avenue)
– Gibbons Park (end of Victoria Street)
– Harris Park
– Waubuno Creek – Travelled Road, River Road
– Pottersburg Creek at Oxford Street (Veterans Memorial Parkway)
– Wellington Road and Front Street
– Coves trailer park
– Dingman Creek – various locations along Dingman Drive
Western University: Elgin Hall and Talbot parking lots, Tennis Centre

The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local waterways. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses.

The UTRCA’s flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood and Pittock Conservation Areas are at seasonal levels and will be operated to reduce downstream flooding. UTRCA officials are monitoring the situation, and will report on any changing conditions as necessary.

See Thames River water level information
See types of Flood Bulletins