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.
Current flood information
Flood information updated as of: November 12, 2019 - 09:00 am
Ontario flood map
Locally issued flood messages
Issued by MNRF Districts and Conservation Authorities
MNRF Districts
- Sault Ste. Marie - Watershed Conditions Statement - High Great Lakes Level - November 5, 2019
Conservation Authorities
- Cataraqui Region - Watershed Conditions Statement - High Great Lakes Level - October 8, 2019
- Grand River - Watershed Conditions Statement - High Great Lakes Level - October 11, 2019
- Kettle Creek - Watershed Conditions Statement - Storm Surge - November 1, 2019
- Lakehead Region - Flood Watch - High Great Lakes Level - November 6, 2019
- Long Point Region - Flood Watch - High Great Lakes Level - October 8, 2019
- Maitland Valley - Flood Watch - Storm Surge - October 30, 2019
River Regulatory Agencies
Provincial flood messages
Issued to Local Authorities by the Surface Water Monitoring Centre
- Lake Erie (Eastern Basin) Flood Watch Issued By Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Surface Water Monitoring Centre for November 5, 2019
- Lake Superior Flood Watch Issued By Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Surface Water Monitoring Centre for November 5, 2019
Provincial Watershed Conditions Statement for Northern Ontario Issued by the Surface Water Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry on November 11th, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
MNRF Districts
Chapleau, Cochrane, Dryden, Fort Frances, Hearst, Kenora, Kirkland Lake, Nipigon, North Bay, Red Lake, Sault Ste. Marie, Sioux Lookout, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Wawa
Conservation Authorities
Conservation Sudbury, Lakehead Region, Mattagami Region, North Bay-Mattawa, Sault Ste Marie Region
Weather Situation
The Province of Ontario is currently experiencing a cold spell which is likely to continue into this week and beyond. Day time temperature highs are forecast to remain anywhere from -10 to -15 degrees centigrade and colder in the overnight hours between -15- and -25 degrees centigrade. Extreme wind chill values are likely to be around -20 to -40 degrees centigrade in several areas in the Northern Region for the next thre days.
Windchills in southern Ontario are also likely to range between -15 to -20 degrees centigrade in the next several days with overnight temperature dipping well below -15 degrees centigrade in several areas of this Region
Risks
Stream flows are above seasonal in Northwest Ontario and few areas in northeast Ontario for this time of the year. This is partially due the above seasonal rainfall received in the region the past month. Current and forecast weather conditions are ideal for the formation of Frazil ice on open water.
Lack of ice cover and exposure of the water surface to cold temperatures and/or wind chills below -18 degrees C can trigger the formation of frazil ice which can accumulate quickly on bridge abutments, piers and riverbanks. Consequently water levels can rise quickly upstream of areas with frazil or anchor ice constrictions and lead to localised high water conditions or flooding in vulnerable areas.
A close watch on local forecasts and conditions is recommended.
This message will be in effect until (or updated before) Wednesday, Nov 13th, 10:00 a.m.
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.
