Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, February 23, 2018 to Sunday, February 25, 2018

Today – Drizzle ending early this afternoon then cloudy. Wind east 20 km/h becoming west 20 late this morning. High 11.

Tonight – Cloudy. Wind west 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low zero.

Saturday, February 24 – Cloudy. Periods of rain beginning early in the morning and ending late in the afternoon. Wind becoming northeast 20 km/h in the morning. High plus 4.

Saturday night – Periods of rain. Low plus 4.

Sunday, February 25 – Cloudy with 60 percent chance of rain. Windy. High 8.

Sunday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 2.

Flood warning still in effect

Flood warnings issued by the Lower Thames and St. Clair Region conservation authorities for the Thames and Sydenham Rivers remain in effect as unusually high water levels make their way downstream into Chatham-Kent.

The Thames River peaked at London Thursday morning and that peak is expected to reach Dutton at approximately 6 p.m. this evening. If current projections remain in effect the peak will arrive in Thamesville Friday and in Chatham Friday night.

The water level could be from three quarters to one meter above current levels, placing waterfront property and other low lying areas in danger of flooding.

Water control structures on McGregor and Indian creeks are operational for the protection of Chatham. The W. Darcy McKeough Dam has been closed, diverting water from the north branch of the Sydenham River around Wallaceburg.

Officials are warning the public to avoid waterways due to high water, slippery banks and rapid current. A number of local roadways have been closed. Emergency officials are urging motorists to obey any signage warning of road closures.

A three-year-old boy is missing after his parents’ van was swept into the Grand River Wednesday near Fergus when the vehicle travelled onto a water-covered roadway.

Visit these sites for further information:

Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

https://www.chatham-kent.ca/

Entegrus – power & home flooding info http://www.entegrus.com/news/potential-localized-flooding-due-heavy-rains

CK Fire – http://ckfes.ca/

Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services: Have a ‘grab & go’ bag ready

#CKFLOOD2018

We always suggest being prepared and ready. Move important items/documents, electronics, etc. upstairs from your basement and have a ‘grab & go’ bag ready with arrangements to relocate, if necessary.

We will have more specific information after 10am this morning. pic.twitter.com/qk6bXYkCAU

— CK Fire Department (@ckfiredept) 23 February 2018

Flood Tips from EMS

With the Updated Flood warnings from @LTVCA_Flood , we will be providing some health tips for people in those flood areas to prepare for: 1) Contact your healthcare provider if you are receiving special home medical care like home dialysis or home cancer treatment. pic.twitter.com/Umi1px0da1

— Chatham-Kent EMS (@CK_EMS) 23 February 2018

Schools closed in Thamesville, buses cancelled

Due to the strong possibility of flooding in Thamesville, all bus service within the limits of Thamesville, including buses travelling to Ursuline College, Chatham-Kent Secondary School, Lambton-Kent Composite School, and Ridgetown District High School, will be cancelled for the day.

Thamesville Area Central School and Good Shepherd Catholic Schools will be closed to students and staff for the day.

Watch LKDSB and SCCDSB websites and listen to local radio for information regarding when the school will reopen and schoolbusinfo.com or the MySBI App for details on when Thamesville area bus service will resume.