Flood warning in effect for Goulais River

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Residents of the Sault Ste. Marie District should keep a close watch on conditions, regularly check for updated messages and stay away from fast-moving rivers and streams.

Residents within the Goulais River Watershed are advised that the risk of flooding is High and that some low lying areas are already seeing flood conditions.

MNR is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates will be issued as appropriate.

Description of Weather System

In the next few days sees a continuation of the wet weather for the Sault Ste. Marie Area. General rainfall of less than 20 mm is forecast cumulatively for the next five days. Daytime high temperatures will be between 5 to 10 degrees for much of the region.

Description of Current Conditions

The snow pack within the district still remains high. Most recently, streams in the Sault Ste. Marie District are rising due to recent rain and snow melt. This trend will likely continue due to warm temperatures through the day in the next five days.

Some low lying areas in the communities of Goulais River and Searchmont are already experiencing flood conditions. A close watch on local forecasts and conditions is recommended.

Terminology: Notification Levels

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

WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.

FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities

FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.

A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended.

Environment Canada bulletins can be found at http://weather.gc.ca/

The Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage can be found here.