Highlights:

•  Rainfall Warning in effect due to the possibility of up to 45 mm of rain overnight through to Wednesday.
•  Water level in the Thames River is currently elevated due to the recent melt and rainfall.
•  The river and local watercourses will continue to rise and may spill their banks.
•  Ponding and localized flooding is possible.

Message:

There is currently a Rainfall Warning in effect from Environment and Climate Change Canada due to the possibility of significant rainfall amounts. Up to 45 mm of rainfall is forecasted to commence overnight and continue through to Wednesday and may, at times, be heavy. Both day and night time temperatures are expected to remain above freezing this entire period.

The amount of rainfall in the forecast is significant for this time of the year. The heavy rains could lead to ponding and localized flooding in low lying areas. The rain and melting snow will cause water levels to rise on our smaller local watercourses. Some of our smaller local watercourses could spill their banks into adjacent natural floodplain areas.

From the recent snowmelt and rainfall event, the ground is generally saturated and may not be able to absorb a significant volume of water leading to increased runoff. From the last melt and rainfall event, the Thames River in peaked in Dutton Dunwich earlier today and has started dropping. Near Thamesville, the Thames River has not yet peaked. It’s expected to peak overnight during the first portion of the forecasted rainfall. In Chatham, the peak is expected later tomorrow morning during the heaviest of the forecasted rainfall.

Within the downtown core of Chatham, the river may rise enough to flood the docks/promenade along the river. While the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel did not need to be operated during the last rainfall event, it’s possible this rainfall event may trigger its operation given elevated water levels and previously saturated ground.

It is unknown at this time whether the Thames River will rise up enough to get into the adjacent river flats in the upstream area of our watershed. LTVCA staff will continue monitoring observed rainfall volumes and river flows and will update accordingly. Significant flooding is not expected at this time.

People should take 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.

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

This message will be in effect until January 4th, 2023.

Contact: Jason Homewood ([email protected]