The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for the entire ABCA watershed.
This is due to the mass amounts of rain that fell in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 13. It spans until 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, subject to change.
"The north part of our watershed received 75-95 millimetres of rainfall," said Ross Wilson, Water and Soils Resources Coordinator. "It was fairly dry before, having only received less 20 millimetres in the last week or so."
The south and central part of the watershed received 40-60 millimetres of rain. That was in addition to 40-50 millimetres in the south within the past week.
If you have any plans outdoors this weekend, Wilson is warning to be cautious and aware.
"A lot of people love to walk in rural areas or trails," he said, "If it happens to be beside a creek, be aware that it may be outside of its normal banks. Same with driving. You may come across field ponding that may extend out onto the road."
He added the safest thing to do is not to drive through that water. There could be debris from the field.
The watch spans to Saturday, July 15 because it could continue to worsen over the next few days.
"The folks in our watershed just need to be aware of that and have precautions, it won't last forever," said Wilson. "The water will start subsiding within the next several days. It hasn't peaked yet because it takes a little while for that water to get through the system."
The ABCA will be posting updates on their website over the next few days.
