Flood warnings issued for Kitchener and Cambridge

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The Grand River Conservation Authority has expanded Flood Warnings to include the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge.

The latest warnings come as temperatures in the watershed have warmed into the double digits after a messy mix of snow, ice and freezing rain hit Waterloo Region on Wednesday.

The conservation authority said approximately 40 to 80 mm of precipitation fell throughout the watershed.

Flood Warnings have also been issued for Grand Valley, Waldemar, Drayton, the Village of Conestogo, New Hamburg and Ayr.

Meanwhile, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is also closely monitoring local conditions after 30 – 75 mm of precipitation fell between Wednesday morning and early Thursday morning.

The water at Tom Patterson Island in Stratford could be seen encroaching on seating areas and partially covering walkways on Thursday morning.

Grand River expected to overflow by midday

According to a news release from the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Grand River is expected to overflow its banks around midday. In Cambridge, experts expect flooding in the Water Street and Highway 24 area. In Kitchener, the risk of flooding is mainly in low-lying areas.

Flood Warning reaches Zone 2 in West Montrose

A Flood Warning previously put in place in West Montrose has been upgraded to include Zone 2. Municipal flood coordinators in the Township of Woolwich have been advised to notify affected property owners and keep an eye on the conditions.

Water safety

Both conservation authorities warn banks near local waterways will be slippery and could pose a serious hazard. Any ice-covered bodies of water are considered to be unsafe, and parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all bodies of water.