The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) says heavy rain and snowmelt this weekend could flood the river flats and low-lying areas from Delaware to Chatham, including the sidewalk, yards, and basements along the Thames River in Chatham.
Weather forecasts are calling for 20 to 40 millimetres of rain on Saturday and Sunday and the LTVCA noted this rain would make water levels on the Thames River rise further above normal.
"At a minimum, one should expect flooding of the sidewalk along the river in the downtown, Simcoe Lane, and other low-lying areas adjacent to the river that tend to flood frequently," said the LTVCA.
The conservation authority said it may need to operate the 6th St. Dam in Chatham if there's more snowmelt and/or more rainfall than forecast.
"At this level, additional flooded areas would include the parking lots between 3rd and 5th Streets and additional flooding of rear yards that back onto the river. If the thunderstorms drop significantly more rain than forecast, river levels could impact other areas such as the basements of businesses along King Street that back onto the river and Siskind Court," the LTVCA said.
The conservation authority also said it's prepared to operate the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel if necessary, adding that smaller watercourses that drain into the Thames River or the lakes will rise and, depending on how much rain falls, could spill their banks into adjacent low-lying areas.
Property owners and others who frequent these areas are being urged to pay attention to local conditions, remove possessions from the flood prone areas if possible, and be prepared.
The LTVCA also wants people to take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams this weekend because slippery banks and fast-moving water can be dangerous.