Flood Forecasting and Warning Program
Information about the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program, which prepares provincial and local authorities in the event of a flood.
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Current flood information
Flood information updated as of: September 20, 2017 - 9:30 am
Ontario flood map
Locally issued flood messages
Issued by MNRF Districts and Conservation Authorities
MNRF Districts
None
Conservation Authorities
- Cataraqui Region - Flood Watch for Lake Ontario / Upper St. Lawrence River - September 7, 2017
- Hamilton - Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook - July 31, 2017
- Lower Trent - Flood Watch for Lake Ontario / Bay of Quinte
River Regulatory Agencies
- Drier conditions, record-high outflows starting to bring relieve to Lake Ontario - September 7, 2017
Provincial Message
Issued to Local Authorities by the Surface Water Monitoring Centre
MNRF Districts
Chapleau, Cochrane, Dryden, Fort Frances, Hearst, Kenora, Kirkland Lake, Nipigon, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Wawa
Conservation Authorities
Lakehead Region, Mattagami Region
Weather Situation
A significant weather system is forecast to cross northern Ontario over the next five days. Successive systems will cross an area from the Manitoba border to Lake Nipigon to Timmins with forecast daily precipitation amounts in the 10 to 25mm range.
There is also the potential for moderate to strong thunderstorms across this same area, for at least Friday and potentially into the weekend, with an additional 25 to 50mm of precipitation in some locations.
Risks
Water levels and flows across northern Ontario are generally within the normal range.
This system could bring heavy rainfall across a large portion of the province over the next five days. Should severe thunderstorms develop and further contribute to local accumulations, minor localized flooding of low lying areas may occur.
A close watch on water levels and flows and local weather conditions is recommended.
Flood Message Definitions
Provincial flood messages
There are 2 types of provincial flood messages:
- the Provincial Flood Watch, which provides consistent and timely technical information about the potential for flooding
- the Provincial Watershed Conditions Statement, which provides information on provincial watershed conditions as they relate to flood potential, and an outlook on expected spring flood conditions
Local flood messages
There are 3 types of local flood messages:
- flood warning: flooding is imminent or already occurring
- flood watch: there is the potential for flooding
- watershed conditions statements: flood Outlook (an early notice of the potential for flooding based on heavy rain, snow melt etc.) and water safety information.
Who to contact for flood information
Your local Conservation Authority is responsible for local flood messaging.
Your local municipality is responsible for on-the-ground flood response.
If you live in a community that is not serviced by a conservation authority, any flood watches or flood warnings in your area are issued by the nearest Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry district office.
