Heavy rain expected across southern Ontario as flood concerns grow

Conservation authorities and environmental officials are issuing warnings about significant rainfall and flooding across the region. CTV's Karis Mapp has more.

Forecasters are warning of significant rainfall across southern Ontario on Wednesday, raising concerns about flooding in areas already dealing with high water levels.

Environment Canada said between 20 and 40 millimetres of rain could fall through the day, with locally higher amounts possible if thunderstorms develop.

The rainfall is expected to affect much of southern Ontario.

“The saturated or frozen ground will have little ability to absorb this rainfall,” the advisory read in part. “A series of low pressure systems will lead to significant rainfall across parts of southern Ontario. Areas in the Huron-Perth region could get a total of 50 to 60 mm.”

Officials said water could likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas.

“Don’t drive through flooded roadways,” the advisory read. “Avoid low-lying areas. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.”

Despite all the snow and rain the region has seen so far this winter, officials said local precipitation is still below average for the season compared to previous years.

“December and January were fairly close to average for total precipitation amounts,” Environment Canada meteorologist Rob Kuhn said. “February though, was pretty well all snow and next to no rain as I recall. So when you melt that down, the total precipitation amount and millimetres of water was basically drier than normal. In March, we haven’t had anything crazy, but I think we’ve been running close to normal, and this system will help maybe erase a bit of the deficit from below average total precipitation for the winter.”

The warning comes as several communities in the Grand River watershed are already dealing with rising water levels.

According to the Grand River Conservation Authority, flood warnings have been issued for parts of the watershed, including Grand Valley and St. Jacobs, as well as Brantford, Paris, Drayton and Haldimand County.

Several communities within Waterloo Region were hit by flooding over the weekend and on Monday.

Additional rainfall could worsen conditions in some areas, according to officials.

Kuhn added that another big weather system is set to make its way to Waterloo Region by the end of the week that could bring significant snowfall or freezing rain.