THUNDER BAY – After the area saw between 17 and 22 millimetres of rain fall overnight, the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has issued a flood outlook update.
The statement covers Thunder Bay and several surrounding communities, including Neebing, Oliver Paipoonge, Shuniah and the townships of O’Connor, Conmee, Gillies and Dorion.
In a release issued on Thursday morning, the LRCA says an additional 10 millimetres of rain is expected before the precipitation shifts to snow over the next 24 hours.
The good news is the above freezing temperatures will be countered at night with below freezing ones, ideal for a slow melt.
However, it doesn’t mean area residents are out of the woods yet.
“The public is advised that ponding is occurring in low-lying areas and has begun to accumulate in some waterways on top of the ice. Caution should be taken in and around all waterways, as ice conditions can deteriorate very quickly,” the outlook update reads.
City roads manager Brad Adams said crews have been out addressing ponding issues, with areas on Carrick Street and Hewitson Street among those affected.
"We have some of our graders out opening catch basins that are covered by snow that aren't draining properly right now," Adams said. "We're also out doing some ditching work, removing some of the snow that may be blocking some of the culvert ends to get the water flowing. We also have some steaming crews out thawing the catch basins or thawing culters that are frozen."
Adams said issues are being addressed on a priority basis, beginning where there is a high liability or risk and then moving into localized ponding in some residential areas and local streets.
An Environment Canada issued rainfall warning that had been in place for much of the day was ended in the afternoon.
"Some of our areas that we were really focused on (Thursday) morning have started to come down. It looks like things are starting to subside a bit," Adams said. "Saying that, if we get more rain now, things could change pretty quickly."
