Heavy rain causes road washouts in northern Ont.

Rain opens huge sinkhole near North Bay A heavy rainstorm passed through the region on Monday washing out roads and creating sinkhole near North Bay.

Cleanup is continuing after a storm bringing intense rain to parts of northeastern Ontario passed through the region on Monday washing out roads and creating sinkholes.

Heavy rainfall warnings were issued by Environment Canada for the Greater Sudbury and North Bay areas Monday afternoon, with up to 100 mm of rain expected in some areas.

A severe thunderstorm watch was also issued for North Bay on Monday.

While some communities were spared, the Township of Chisholm – located less than 40 kilometres southeast of North Bay – was hit pretty badly.

"Starting at about 3:30 p.m., the municipal office starting getting calls about washouts and water over road notices," Jenny Leblond, CAO clerk-treasurer of the town, told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email Tuesday morning.

"Public Works staff started assessing the situation right away and responded to the more severe washouts first, River Road at Golf Course Road intersection being the worst."

Photos and video obtained by CTV News showed the shoulder of the road flooding before washing out the road.

By Tuesday morning, a big section of the pavement was missing.

Crews couldn't replace the culvert Monday night due to the continuous fast-moving water.

"The road was kept closed overnight and the crew started working on it this morning," Leblond said at 11:24 a.m. Tuesday.

"River Road should be opening soon and then they will be moving onto a culvert replacement on South Shore Road between East Ferris boundary and River Road."

More rain and possible thundershowers are expected in the area Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.