KAWARTHA LAKES-A Flood Outlook for the Kawartha Lakes Watershed and Bancroft District is currently in place and is expected to continue until Wednesday, February 21.
Kawartha Conservation (KC)says residents who have a historic susceptibility to flooding should take appropriate precautions to protect their property, such as ensuring sump pumps are functioning and securing items that may float away as water levels rise.
There are 3 types of local flood messages:
- Flood Warning: flooding is imminent or already occurring
- Flood Watch: there is the potential for flooding
- Flood Outlook/Watershed Conditions Statements: flood Outlook (an early notice of the potential for flooding based on heavy rain, snow melt etc.) and water safety information.
Forecast precipitation and associated snowmelt will produce significant run off and high water levels and speeds in local watercourses according to KC. Ice breakup and related flooding on some watercourses can be expected. It is anticipated that water accumulation will occur in low-lying areas, road ditches, and areas with poor drainage. Rivers and streams may reach or exceed their banks in some locations. Smaller steams will react fast, while it will take longer for larger watercourses to respond.
Officials say under expected watershed conditions all local rivers, streams, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous. Riverbanks are slippery and unsafe; ice cover may become unstable and hazardous. Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay away from water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.
