Highway 17 reopens near Wawa

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Environment Canada warns of flooding, heavy rain as Highway 17 is closed near Wawa

7-Day weather forecast for northeastern Ontario

Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning Wednesday for the Wawa, Chapleau and surrounding communities, with heavy downpours expected to bring an additional 30 to 50 millimetres of rain.

Some areas have already recorded nearly 75 millimetres, with localized totals potentially exceeding 100 millimetres.

The federal weather agency said the rain should taper off by late Wednesday night or Thursday as the system moves south.

However, the deluge has raised concerns about flash flooding, water pooling on roads, and possible washouts near rivers and culverts.

Ontario Provincial Police announced the closure of Highway 17 on Wednesday between Pinewood Drive in Wawa and Highway 563 in Batchawana Bay due to unsafe conditions.

The highway reopened Thursday morning, police said.

Flood risk persists

Environment Canada advised residents to check Ontario.ca/floods for the latest flood-related updates.

Conditions were expected to improve Thursday as the weather system moved south.

Local authorities urged caution, particularly in low-lying areas, as heavy downpours continued to pose a risk of flash flooding and road hazards.