Conservation authority officials are keeping an eye on area waterways, given this weekend’s heavy rainfall.
A rainfall warning, issued by Environment Canada, remains in effect, with local amounts of 50 to 100 mm possible.
So far, the heaviest rain recorded has been from the Ridgetown area eastward, with the rain gauge already recording more than 60 mm, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority said.
“In some areas, the heavy rains have already caused ponding and localized flooding in low lying areas. Some local watercourses have already responded and are near bank-full conditions,” officials said.
“With the possibility of more rain, and as more water runs off the land into our local watercourses, ditches and streams, some of these smaller local watercourses could spill their banks into adjacent natural floodplain areas.”
It is possible that McGregor Creek in Chatham could rise enough that the conservation authority would have to operate the
McGregor Creek diversion channel.
People are urged to use extra caution and avoid local waterways, ditches and streams with elevated water levels. Children, pets and livestock should also be kept away from the water.