NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 14, 2018
St. Thomas – Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA) is urging residents to be aware of local conditions as it upgrades the watershed to a flood watch. A slow moving Colorado Low has made its way into Southwestern Ontario, bringing with it significant precipitation.
“Updated weather forecasts are calling for more unsettled weather.” says Jennifer Dow, water conservation supervisor. “The extent of the flooding will depend on the amount rain we receive and how fast the system moves through the area. At this time, water levels in local creeks and streams are slowly rising in response to the precipitation.”
The watershed is set to receive another 40-50 mm of rain on Sunday. Should the higher rain amounts materialize, nuisance flooding may occur in traditional flood plain areas. Temperatures over the weekend will play a large role in the mixture of precipitation type that can be expected. Environment Canada has forecast an accumulation of 20mm of freezing rain in some areas by Sunday. Freezing rain may slow the runoff into the watercourses.
Residents along Kettle Creek are advised to carefully monitor their local conditions. Parents are reminded to use extreme care around all watercourses, flood plain areas and ponds and to keep children away from all water bodies. Banks can be very slippery and unstable.
This advisory will remain in effect until April 16. Other updates will be provided if circumstance warrant. For further updates log on to www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca or connect with KCCA on Twitter and Facebook @KettleCreekCA.
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For more information contact:
Marianne Levogiannis
Public Relations Supervisor
519-631-1270 x224
The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority issues three levels of messages:
- Watershed Conditions Statement: a general notice of weather conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety or which have the potential to lead to flooding. There are two variations of these:
- Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety: High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected
- Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook: Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch: Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning: Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.