Heavy rains prompt flood concerns across region

Flooding can be seen in a wooded area in Springwater Township, Ont. on Monday, March 28, 2016. (Dave Erskine/ CTV Barrie)

Heavy downpours have many people watching for the possibility of flooding.

The heavy rain so far has prompted Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources to issue a flood watch for Muskoka and Parry Sound.

In Bracebridge on Monday, drivers were carefully navigating roads that have already flooded.

"With that rain last night I knew this was what I was going to wake up to,” says Bracebridge resident Neil Darrach. “Hopefully we don't get as much rain this week that they're calling for."

That has local fire chiefs keeping a close eye on the situation.

"If we get a prolonged warm period with no freezing at night or substantial rain it could cause problems,” says Huntsville fire chief Steve Hernen.

While most of the local snow pack has already melted away, it hasn't yet in Algonquin park. Fire chiefs say that could lead to serious flooding if the rain doesn't let up this week and the snow melts away too quickly.

"The concern is the volume of water that comes out of Algonquin Park. The river can't absorb the flow of the water and then we start to get the backups in our traditional flood prone areas.”

The deluge has led to fast flowing rising water along the Pretty River, which has washed some farmer’s fields in the Collingwood area.

The MNR is urging residents in flood prone areas to take the necessary steps to protect their property.