Significant Rain Forecast for Wednesday, Watercourses Expected to Rise
For immediate release, April 1, 2025
With rain forecast for Wednesday, the 糖心直播 (UTRCA) reminds everyone to stay away from streams, ditches, and rivers.
Weather forecasts are predicting 30-75 mm of rain across the Upper Thames River watershed, starting late Wednesday morning and lasting into early Thursday morning. Ground conditions are already saturated from the spring runoff and the rain over the past weekend, and not able to absorb more water.
Different weather models are inconsistent with the total amounts and intensities of forecast precipitation. If the lower amounts materialize, the UTRCA expects flows to be similar to those experienced in late March, with minor flooding in low lying areas. If the higher forecasts are accurate, levels may rise to those experienced in February 2018, or possibly above, with more significant flooding.
The UTRCA expects peaks on the main river should crest Thursday afternoon in upstream areas (Mitchell, Stratford, Tavistock), and later Thursday evening and into the early hours on Friday in London. Water levels will remain elevated over the weekend. The UTRCA will operate its flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas to reduce downstream flooding.
Residents are reminded to use extreme caution near all watercourses and stay out of all flooded areas. Stream banks can be slippery and unstable, and the water is cold and fast-moving. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from watercourses.聽聽It is not safe to take shelter along riverbanks or in low lying areas that are prone to flooding.