SAULT STE MARIE – WEATHER – There has been a Flood Outlook issued for Sault Ste Marie after Environment Canada has issued a Rainfall Warning for the area.
Rainfall warning in effect for:
- Agawa – Lake Superior Park
- Sault Ste. Marie – St. Joseph Island
- Searchmont – Montreal River Harbour – Batchawana Bay
A low pressure area originating from Texas will cross the upper Great Lakes into Northeastern Ontario today, bringing a large area of rain with it. Latest indications suggest total rainfall amounts of near 50 mm are likely by this evening, with a few locales receiving up to 75 mm. The heavier rain is expected to taper off to occasional showers this evening as the low pressure area moves towards the Hudson Bay Coast.
Motorists should be prepared for difficult driving conditions due to ponding of water on poorly drained sections of highways.
Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
Flood Outlook in Effect
The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority has issued a statement to residents in regard to current watershed conditions.
There is a weather system tracking across Sault Ste. Marie which has the potential to bring precipitation amounts of over 50 mm with potential additional amounts in thunderstorms over a wide area.
The current weather forecast indicates that precipitation amounts of 40 – 60 mm are expected overnight tonight to fall over the Sault Ste. Marie area over 24 hours with the potential of thunderstorms adding to that amount.
Ground conditions are able to absorb some of these forecasted rainfall amounts.
The local streams and rivers in our watersheds are currently flowing at below seasonal levels and have the capacity to accept precipitation and runoff from the anticipated rainfall amounts.
The current watershed conditions differ greatly from last year’s flood event.
If the predicted thunderstorms occur there may be localized flooding in areas of poor drainage.
The areas of poor drainage include areas of the City of Sault Ste. Marie where catch basins may be blocked.
The amount of runoff anticipated from this rain event is expected to raise water levels significantly in the short term in local rivers and streams.
The flood control channels owned and maintained by the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority are currently flowing well below normal.
The flood control channels will experience a rise in water levels.
It is important to remember that the water in rivers, streams and the channels will be fast flowing during and after the rainfall event.
The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority will continue to closely monitor stream flows across the watershed.
The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority would like to extend a warning to residents and visitors to use extreme caution when close to rivers, creeks and channels.
Potential increases in water levels and flows can be especially dangerous and stream banks can be slippery. Please keep children and pets away from fast flowing rivers and streams.
This bulletin will be updated if conditions warrant.
This statement is in effect until Saturday October 4, 2014.
