THUNDER BAY – The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has issued an updated flood outlook for Thunder Bay and the surrounding region, saying some isolated areas could still see significant rainfall over the coming day.
Area gauges recorded between 35 and 52 millimetres of precipitation over the 24 hours leading up to noon on Thursday, the LRCA reported.
An additional 10 to 25 millimetres of precipitation is possible in isolated areas over the following 24 hours, the conservation authority advised.
The area covered by the outlook includes the municipalities of Thunder Bay, Neebing, Oliver Paipoonge, and Shuniah, and the townships of O’Connor, Conmee, Gillies, and Dorion.
The rainfall will cause area waterways to rise, the LRCA said, but they’re expected to stay within riverbanks.
With Environment Canada projecting wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h at some points Friday, the LRCA said high winds would create a heightened risk of shoreline flooding, beach submersion, and wave-driven erosion along some reaches of the Lake Superior shoreline.
The agency encourages the public to exercise caution in and around area waterways and shorelines.
A range of advisories from Environment Canada remain in effect throughout Northwestern Ontario, thanks to a low pressure system tracking east that’s brought a mixture of heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.
As of Thursday afternoon, the agency projected temperatures in the city of Thunder Bay would remain above zero through Friday afternoon, but dip as low as 1 C Friday morning.
The agency issued snowfall warnings elsewhere in the region, with accumulations of up to 50 centimetres possible in some areas, like Dryden and Red Lake.
LRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions and issue updated flood messages as warranted. Additional information can be found at the LRCA website.
