Date: 10:30 P.M., Thursday, March 24th, 2016

Issued to: Municipal Flood Coordinators of Municipalities, Media

Issued by: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

This evening the Lower Thames Valley watershed received a very large amount of rainfall over a very short time period.  Between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm the Chatham precipitation gauges measured over 15mm of rainfall bringing the total rainfall since noon to over 30 mm.

Such large amounts of rainfall over a very short period of time will run off the land very quickly causing the region’s smaller local watercourses to respond quickly.  Those watercourses will rise quickly and some may run bank full or even spill their banks.  The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority expects to be operating the Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel early this morning.

Water levels on the Thames River will rise, but they are not expected to rise enough to flood the river flats adjacent to the Thames River.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, streams, and ponds.  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.

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

This message will be in effect until March 26th, 2016.

Contact:  Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) regarding this message.