Update on Goulais River flood warning

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF
NATURAL RESOURCES

************************
Flood warning Sault Ste. Marie District – Goulais River

The Ministry of Natural Resources – Sault Ste. Marie District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning remains in effect for the Goulais River.

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 are advised that precipitation over the last 24 hours has caused a spike in water levels which may cause additional flood conditions.

MNR is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.

Further updates will be issued as appropriate.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Description of Weather System

Rainfall of 20-25 mm is forecast cumulatively for the next five days.

Daytime high temperatures will be between 5 to 15 degrees for much of the region.

Description of Current Conditions

The snow pack within the district has diminished.

Most recently, streams in the Sault Ste. Marie District are rising due to recent rain and snow melt.

Some low lying areas in the communities of Goulais River and Searchmont could experience flood conditions.

A close watch on local forecasts and conditions is recommended.

Expiry Date: This message will expire on Tuesday, May 13 2014, 12 a.m.

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.

************************