The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) has issued a flood watch for the region with warm temperatures, mixed precipitation and strong winds in the forecast.
A flood outlook was issued Wednesday afternoon but was later upgraded to a watch on Thursday after 20 millimetres of rain was received over a 24-hour time span.
Environment Canada called for 10 to 25 mm of rain beginning Wednesday evening and continuing into Thursday afternoon. Dropping temperatures are predicted to bring freezing rain and ice pellets followed by snow.
The SCRCA said there is between 19 mm and 32 mm of water equivalent across the watershed, with an average value of 25 mm.
Ice on the Sydenham River is 15 centimetres to 20 centimetres in thickness alongside areas of open water.
Current conditions on Lake Huron include thin, medium and new lake ice towards the southern end of the lake and ice shelving along the coastline, with open water in the middle of the lake. Continuing south, the St. Clair River has thick, medium and thin brash ice and Lake St. Clair is predominately ice covered, with fast ice near the eastern shore.
South winds gusting upwards of 60 kilometres per hour were expected Wednesday. They're expected to shift northerly on Thursday morning, and will dissipate early Friday.
Waves are predicted to be between two and three metres on Lake Huron during this time.
The SCRCA said rain and melting snow will lead to ponding, runoff and minor flooding into fields, parks and natural floodplain areas. Conditions will be favourable for the weakening of ice and ice jamming is possible. Strong winds and waves may also shift ice, and northerly winds could promote the movement of ice from Lake Huron into the St. Clair River where it could build up and impact flow.
As water levels continue to rise, the following roads may become impacted:
- Stanley Line between Kimball Road and Waubuno Road
- Pretty Road north of McCallum Line
- Waterworks Road north of Courtright Line
- Tefler Road between Courtright Line and Moore Line
Residents are reminded to avoid shorelines, watercourses and flooded areas due to dangerous conditions, slippery banks and cold, swift moving water. Children and pets should be kept away from the water and off of frozen waterbodies.
The SCRCA's flood watch will remain in place until February 19, unless otherwise updated.
