Highlights:

• Significant rainfall last Friday and Saturday have led to high water levels on the Thames River.
• Heavy rains passed through the region last evening and overnight dropping over 30 mm of rain in some areas.
• Smaller watercourses are on the rise again and could spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas.
• Thames River water levels near Dutton peaked around noon yesterday and these rains will keep the river high.
• Thames River water levels around Thamesville to peak during the day today and in Chatham overnight
into Wednesday.
• Weather forecasts suggest the possibility of an additional 10 to 20 mm of rain on Wednesday.
• Thames River will continue to flood the river flat from Delaware down to Chatham.
• Flooding of basements of the businesses along King St. in downtown Chatham expected later today.

Message:

Thunderstorms passed through the region late Friday and Saturday dropped a significant amount of rain on the Thames River watershed. This has led to the current high water levels on the Thames River. Heavy rains passed through the region last evening and overnight dropping over 30 mm of rain in some areas. Weather forecasts suggest the possibility of an additional 10 to 20 mm of rain on Wednesday.

The heavy rains have led to ponding, standing water and localized flooding in low lying areas. Smaller watercourses are now on the rise again due to these recent rains. Many of the smaller local watercourses could spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas. Those watercourses tributary to the Thames River will see even higher water levels, especially in areas near the river, since the Thames River is still near its peak throughout the lower Thames watershed and this will make it difficult for the water to drain away.

Water levels on the Thames River are already high enough that flooding is occurring in the low-lying, mostly agricultural, river flats adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Chatham. Water levels peaked near Dutton around noon yesterday and had begun to drop. These recent rains will keep the river high for several more days. Around Thamesville, water levels on the Thames River are expected to peak during the day today. Water levels in the area may be higher than expected due to this new rainfall adding to flows in the river. Water levels in Chatham are still expected to peak overnight into Wednesday. Again, flows may be higher than previously expected due to these rains. The LTVCA is currently operating the 6th St Dam in downtown Chatham to prevent flooding in the south end of Chatham. Flooding of the basements of the businesses along King St. that back onto the river in downtown Chatham is expected later today. With these rains and those additional rains forecast for Wednesday, high water levels on the Thames River in downstream areas should be expected to last into the weekend.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams. The combination of slippery banks, 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.

As water levels rise, it is not safe to take shelter along riverbanks or in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory as necessary.

This message will be in effect until April 7th, 2023.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])