Warm temperatures, melting snow and heavy rainfall over the last week have led to large amounts of flooding in the Thames River watershed.  Pretty much all the snow in the Lower Thames watershed has melted and there is no longer any ice cover on the Thames River.  Weather forecasts are calling for daytime highs above freezing this weekend with a chance of rainfall anywhere between 5 and 30 mm.

Water levels on the Thames River in upstream areas have dropped.  On the Lower Thames, water levels through Middlesex and Elgin have also peaked and are now dropping.  However, water levels are still high on the Thames River throughout most of the Lower Thames.

The peak flow will be passing through the Thamesville area overnight or early tomorrow morning.  The high water level is substantially lower and the arrival time of the peak is substantially delayed compared to other events on record for such high flows coming out of the Upper Thames.  While there are homes in the Thamesville area that have been impacted by flooding, there is no longer expected to be flooding on roads in the community of Thamesville.

Along the Thames River in the City of Chatham, water levels have already exceeded those observed in 2008/2009.  There is already flooding on those roads previously mentioned; Siskind Court, William and Water, Salter, Pegley, and the low portion of Thames St along the river.  Current forecasts suggest that water levels may still reach as high as those observed during the 1968 flood.  This would see an additional 60 cm rise from those levels observed earlier yesterday evening.  The peak in Chatham is now expected this evening.  However, forecasts may need to be revised as water levels in the city are influenced by levels on Lake St. Clair which are currently high.

While most of the smaller local watercourse that drain into the Thames River had started to decline, with high flows of the river, water is now backing up these watercourse and may cause flooding in adjacent areas.

High water levels can be expected throughout the weekend in the Lower Thames and into early next week for areas through Chatham-Kent and Lakeshore.

Residents with properties that back onto watercourses and the river should secure their properties and remove any items that could be damaged by flooding or get loose and become floating debris.  Attempts should also be made to ensure that catch basins and other drainage works are free of debris and can function properly.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams.  The combination of slippery banks, floating debris, and fast moving cold water can be dangerous.  Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards.  Children, pets and livestock 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 February 25th, 2018.

Contact:  Jason Wintermute (jason.wintermute@ltvca.ca, 519-354-7310 x227) regarding this message.