Flooding closes roads in Warwick Township

Several roads remained closed in Warwick Township Thursday morning after heavy rains Wednesday led to flooding.

“We are fortunate no one has been reported injured as a result of last night’s flooding,” Warwick Mayor Todd Case said in a news release.

“Unfortunately, numerous Warwick Township residents are dealing with basement flooding and the Warwick Conservation Area continues to be closed.”

The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority reported areas of the watershed received between 50 and 100 mm of rain Wednesday, and said a flood watch is in effect until Friday at 4 pm

“Localized flooding is occurring at low-lying areas, mostly in floodplain, agricultural and parkland areas,” a Thursday morning press release from director of water resources Girish Sankar says.

More rain was expected Thursday evening, it notes.

“Residents are reminded to avoid watercourses and flooded areas due to slippery banks and swift moving water,” the release says. “Children and pets should be kept away from the water.”

Around midnight Thursday OPP tweeted police were dealing with multiple collisions due to significant flooding in Southwest Middlesex.

At 8 am, police confirmed Highway 402 was open in both directions.

Road closures in Warwick still in effect as of Thursday morning included:

• Sexton Road between Zion Line and Egremont Road;

• Warwick Village Road, accessing the Warwick Conservation Area south of London Line;

• Zion Line between Nauvoo Road and London Line;

• Warwick Village Road between Birnam Line and Hickory Creek;

• Hickory Creek Line from Elarton Road to Forest Road;

• Kingscourt Road between Confederation Line and Egremont Road

All Watford roads had reopened, township officials said.

Residents were asked to exercise caution on the roads and follow the Township’s Facebook pageor check 511on.ca for updates.

Lambton public health meanwhile was encouraging residents with private wells to test their water supply where flooding had occurred, noting flood waters can carry harmful bacteria.

Boil water or use bottled water until testing occurs, officials said, noting — once flood waters recede — wells should be disinfected and tested at least three times, at one-week intervals, before the water is used for drinking.

Water sample kits can be picked up and dropped off at public health’s Point Edward office, the Bluewater Health Charlotte Eleanor Englehart lab in Petrolia, or at the London’s 850 Highbury Ave. N. public health lab, officials said, noting the test for bacteria and sample kits are free, and that samples must be dropped off within 24 hours of being taken.

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