UTRCA Hosts Annual Flood Coordinators Meeting
On December 14, 2023, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) hosted its annual Flood Coordinators meeting. The meeting was open to flood coordinators from watershed municipalities and local First Nations, as well as staff from other agencies, including:
- Middlesex, Oxford, and Perth Counties
- Health units
- Neighbouring conservation authorities
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Flood Forecasting Centre
- Local police and fire departments
- Local school boards
During a flood event, UTRCA staff send bulletins and other information to these individuals, who are responsible for carrying out necessary actions including disseminating flood bulletins to the public and/or augmenting the flood control infrastructure.
Approximately 40 people attended in-person and online to learn about the UTRCA’s flood forecasting program.
The meeting is an annual training session for watershed flood coordinators which allows a refresher for some and an introduction to the responsibilities for those new to the role of municipal Flood Coordinator. The meeting always includes a review of the UTRCA’s Flood Contingency Plan to explain how our system works in terms of data collection and analyses, as well as communications with residents and municipalities. This session also included an overview of the UTRCA’s water and erosion control structures and their relative benefits related to flood control, as well as ongoing and upcoming work.