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Flood watch, outlooks issued for parts of Northwestern Ontario

A flood watch has been issued for the Fort Frances area. The Ministry of Natural Resources issued the flood watch Thursday, along with flood outlooks for the Shebandowan, Raith and Upsala region.

A flood watch has been issued for the Fort Frances area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources issued the flood watch Thursday, along with flood outlooks for the  Shebandowan, Raith and Upsala region. The flood messages followi heavy rainfalls in the region, along with forecasts of more rain in the near future.

Several roadways in the northwest have been reported washed out already, and now there is also a rainfall warning in effect for Dryden, Fort Frances and Atikokan.

In the last 24 hours Fort Frances received 56 millimetres of rain and Atikokan received 35 millimetres, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Peter Kimbell.

Meanwhile “people in the Shebandowan-Raith-Upsala area should beware that there’s a potential for flooding based on weather forecasts of heavy rain,” said MNR spokesman Patrick Gidley.

A low pressure system is moving through Northwestern Ontario from Lake of the Woods onto Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout. 20 to 30 millimetres of rain is expected in these areas with thunderstorms possibly bringing more than 60 millimetres, according to a MNR press release.

There is currently high water levels in the Shebandowan and Lacs Des Mille Lacs water systems and may continue to rise due to rainfall.

“Residents may wish to take action to secure and protect property in flood-prone or vulnerable areas, and caution is definitely advised around fast moving creeks and rivers,” Gidley added.

MNR officials with continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.


 





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