Flood Watch Issued in Peterborough and Area

A flood watch has been issued to the City of Peterborough and surrounding municipalities by Otonabee Conservation, on Wednesday.

Rainfall on Lansdowne Street, Wednesday. Photo by Davin Tuan Bui.

Municipalities that may be affected are Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills.

From Wednesday - Thursday a moisture-laden low-pressure system and associated cold front is moving through our Region. The system will bring widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms.

Heavy downpours are expected to deliver as much as 15-20 mm in one hour. Total rainfall amounts are expected to be in the order of 40-60mm on Wednesday and another 20 mm on Thursday. Higher amounts are possible due to thunderstorms. Some lingering rainfall may continue over the weekend, but the main concern is heavy downpours and thunderstorms expected Wednesday and Thursday.

Heavy downpours and thunderstorms can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and low-lying areas. Localized flooding is possible. As a minimum, higher than normal water levels and flows can be expected in lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and wetlands, especially in the vicinity of culverts and bridges.

Higher than normal water levels and flows will continue over the weekend as the significant rainfall receipts of today and tomorrow flush through local waterways.

Residents are advised to be extremely cautious around all local lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks because shorelines/riverbanks will be slippery and could be undercut, and currents will be strong. Road-side ditches, wetlands and other low-lying areas may experience unsafe ponding conditions.

Dams and other water control/water conveyance structures are especially dangerous and should always be avoided.

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