Highlights:

• Special Weather Statement has been issued due to significant amounts of rain predicted overnight and Saturday.
• Potential for ponding and localized flooding due to the rainfall.
• Local ditches, creeks and streams will rise tomorrow and some may spill their banks.
• Potential for shoreline damage and flooding from wave spray tomorrow morning.
• Thames River will rise over the weekend and depending on the total rainfall may flood low lying adjacent areas.

Message:

Due to the significant amount of rainfall predicted for tomorrow (Saturday), a Special Weather Statement has been issued by Environment Canada.  Rain is expected to begin overnight and continue throughout the day tomorrow, with total accumulations of 20 to 35 mm of rain by the time the event is over.  Due to the nature of the event, and possible changes in the track of the storm, Environment Canada’s Special Weather Statement advises that rainfall totals may need to be revised upwards as the event unfolds.  Associated with this event, tomorrow morning will see southerly and southwesterly winds between 35 and 40 km/hr.  Waves on Lake Erie are forecasted to reach 1 to 1.3 m in height.

The large amount of rain predicted could lead to ponding and localized flooding in areas with poor drainage.  Local ditches, creeks and streams will rise throughout the day tomorrow, and some could spill their banks and flood low lying adjacent areas.  Depending on how much rainfall appears, the LTVCA may need to operate the Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in order to protect the south end of the City of Chatham.

Winds from the south and southwest tomorrow morning will be driving waves onshore along most of the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County. There is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause shoreline erosion.  The predicted winds and waves are only slightly above the thresholds that have caused flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent over the last few years.  Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should pay attention to local conditions and prepare accordingly.

Water levels on the Thames River would be expected to peak Sunday afternoon in the upstream areas of the Lower Thames watershed around London and work their way downstream over the next few days.  Should the higher rainfall amounts appear, there could be some flooding in the low lying areas adjacent to the river, such as the sidewalk in downtown Chatham, early next week.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, streams and shorelines. On our local watercourses, the combination of slippery banks and fast moving water can be dangerous. Along the shoreline, waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery. There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water which could be thrown up onto the shoreline. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.

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

This message will be in effect until April 3rd, 2019.