SUDBURY—Manitoulin Island is being included in a flood outlook, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Sudbury District. On April 26, the MNRF issued an updated watershed conditions statement-flood outlook, which will be in effect for the district until Friday, May 3.
“Residents in the Sudbury district, including the communities of Sudbury, Espanola, the municipalities of Markstay-Warren and St. Charles, townships of Sables-Spanish River and Baldwin, Town of Spanish and Manitoulin Island should exercise caution along local waterways,” an MNRF release April 26 states. “Local streams and rivers, which are at seasonal levels, will see increased flows and higher water levels due to the incoming precipitation event. There is the potential for flooding in low-lying areas and residents may wish to take necessary action to secure or protect property in flood-prone or vulnerable areas. Please monitor any children or pets under your care around these hazards and supervise their activities.”
“The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate,” the MNRF release notes.
A watershed conditions statement-flood outlook gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions.
The MNRF release explains, “a Colorado Low tracking into Ontario is forecast to bring widespread rain this weekend and into (this) week. With mostly clear conditions today locally. Heavier precipitation is forecast to begin today (April 26) in the northwest with rain amounts between 10-20 millimetres in the Far North and from Kenora to Thunder Bay, extending to the east-Lake Superior shoreline towards Sault Ste. Marie. As the low-pressure system continues to move eastward on Saturday, an additional 10-20 mm is forecast over the Thunder Bay and Nipigon areas, with 20-30 mm forecast for areas along the east shore of Lake Superior and into the Northeastern Region. Over the next five days, accumulated rainfall in the Northeast region is forecast to range between 20-50 mm.
“Water levels and stream flows across Northeastern Ontario are back to seasonal spring levels, however, due to the anticipated amounts of rainfall over the next five days local inflows and watercourse levels may increase. Flooding may be experienced in low lying or flood prone areas,” the MNRF adds.
