Rainfall Warning Means Potential for Flooding (media release, September 21, 2021)
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is alerting watershed residents to the rainfall warning issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Rainfall amounts of 50 to 60 mm are expected by early Thursday morning with locally higher amounts in excess of 75 mm in areas that receive multiple thunderstorms. Other forecasts are calling for potentially much more total rainfall in association with multiple thunderstorms (~125mm).
The slow moving low pressure system arriving from the American midwest is expected to bring significant rainfall Tuesday evening through Wednesday night.
“Rainfall over the past two weeks has made the Upper Thames River watershed more susceptible to runoff, but if we get the lower forecasted rainfall amounts, we do not expect significant river flooding,” said Mark Shifflett, Senior Water Resources Engineer with the Authority. “However, if the higher rain amounts fall over a wide area, we may see more serious river flooding.”
UTRCA water management staff will be closely monitoring conditions and communicating with municipal flood coordinators. The Authority’s flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas are at seasonal levels and will be operated to reduce any downstream flooding.
The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution and stay away from all watercourses, which may quickly become fast-moving and higher than normal. Parents are encouraged to keep children and pets away from all creeks, rivers and water bodies.
Contact: Teresa Hollingsworth, Manager, Community and Corporate Services