THUNDER BAY – A flood watch has been issued for the Thunder Bay area, which is expected to receive another 20 to 40 millimetres of rainfall heading into the weekend.
The precipitation will hit local watercourses that in many cases are already “at or near bank full conditions” after a significant downpour last weekend, the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority warned in a food watch issued Friday afternoon.
Beyond the 20 to 40 millimetres Environment Canada has called for between Friday and Sunday, there is the potential for thunderstorms to produce an additional 5 to 10 millimetres, the LRCA warned.
Runoff from the “considerable” remaining snowpack in the area is also expected.
The agency urged the public to exercise caution around waterways and keep children away from them, and to avoid driving through flooded roads.
The second helping of wet weather is the result of a low pressure system developing over Colorado.
The area was hit with a significant downpour just last weekend, with 73 millimetres of rain recorded at the Thunder Bay Airport. That storm caused numerous rural road washouts and water seepage into local basements.
The LRCA issues flood watches when the potential for flooding exists based on an assessment of conditions. The watch issued Friday will be in effect until Monday at 12 p.m. unless updated before that time.
