The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch.
Over the last 24 hours the lower Thames River watershed has seen severe thunderstorm activity and received rainfall amounts between 5 mm and 40 mm varying across the watershed.
Between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. this afternoon the McGregor Creek watershed and parts of the City of Chatham received between 15 mm and 30 mm of rainfall.
Rainfall forecasts for this evening and overnight are calling for more thunderstorms and an additional 5-10+ mm this evening and overnight and an additional 5-10 mm tomorrow.
Conditions in the local watershed have not dried out sufficiently from the rainfall earlier this week and the ground has little capacity to absorb any more.
Localized flooding can occur with the heavy rains we’ve had and are still predicted to come.
Local watercourses can be expected to rise and may spill their banks.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will be monitoring the situation closely and may need to operate the Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel sometime overnight or early tomorrow morning in order to prevent flooding in the south end of the City of Chatham.
People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams.
A combination of slippery banks and fast moving water is particularly dangerous.
Standing water can also present a hazard.
People should also keeps their pets and livestock away from the water.
Parents should pay special attention to keep their children away from the water.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will continue to monitor conditions and will issue additional messages as required.
