Flood watch issued for Muskoka Region, Parry Sound

Water levels can be seen on the rise in Huntsville, Ont. on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. (Mike Walker/ CTV Barrie)

There are flooding concerns in the Muskoka Region a day after heavy rains pounded the area.

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources has issued a flood watch for Muskoka, Parry Sound and a north-west portion of Haliburton County.

The MNR says water flow at area lakes and rivers continue to climb due to the rainfall received on Monday, and the continued melting of the snow pack.

Officials say low-lying roads and properties along the Big East River in Huntsville are vulnerable to various degrees of flooding.  Areas around Lake Vernon, Fairy Lake and Peninsula Lake are also at risk.

In downtown Huntsville, some docks and restaurant patios are already underwater.

“We're getting the second wave of water coming through,” says Huntsville Fire Chief Steve Hernen. “In downtown Huntsville that compounds with the main street bridge because that act's as a damn restricting the flow, so we think that this year we will see the infamous beer lake back.”

The flood two years ago turned downtown parking lots into lakes and flooded many businesses including the Beer Store plaza and it could happen again.

Debbie Mannero's business suffered extensive damage two years ago. She's not taking any chances and has already started to pile sandbags around her store.

“I'm worried the building is going to be flooded to the same extent of damage as it was two years ago,” she says.

In Bracebridge, water flow along the north branch of the Muskoka River has surpassed early flood watch levels. Flows there are expected to rise in the coming days. At the south end, water flow is expected to rise within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The MNR says water flowing from Lake Muskoka into the Bala Reach could hit 200 centimetres in the next two days.

Ministry officials are asking residents who live along these waterways to take the proper precautions and to keep an eye on water conditions.