February 2012

FLOOD FORECASTING

& WARNING

Preparing for Flooding

Conservation Authorities, in cooperation with local municipalities and the province, play a significant role in the protection of life and property from natural hazards such as flooding. Your local conservation authority (CA) is responsible for issuing flood messages to local municipal flood coordinators and your local municipality is responsible for on the ground flood response. It is the Long Point Region Conservation Authority’s (LPRCA) responsibility to forecast when flooding is likely to occur within the Long Point Region watershed and to issue flood alerts and warnings. Effective flood forecasting depends on reliable and timely data. The LPRCA monitors weather information, river flows, snow pack and ice conditions in order to predict when floods will occur and how high the water may rise. Snowmelt coupled with rainfall can create flood conditions throughout the watershed. In addition to riverine flooding, the LPRCA issues advisories and warnings for damage which may occur due to a lake level surge along the northern Lake Erie shoreline.

Significant damage can occur to roads and bridges as a result of storm surges along the Lake Erie shoreline.

Causes of Floods

Floods can occur at any time of the year and have a variety of causes. The most common reasons for floods are:

• extreme rainfall, which can occur at any time of year

• high temperatures in the winter and spring that cause snow and ice to melt quickly

• ice jams in the winter and spring, when large amounts of ice become lodged in the river channel, causing water to back up and spill over the banks

• strong winds that cause lake levels to rise along the Lake Erie shoreline

Spring can often mean high water conditions, ice jams and flooding.

What if a flood message is issued for your area? Take heed of the message issued. Be prepared to follow the advice and instructions of emergency response officials.

LPRCA flood messages are distributed to area radio stations and newspapers for broadcast and publication. Listen to the latest warnings and advisories on one of the following radio stations: CKPC 92.1 FM (Brantford), CKPC 1380 AM (Brantford), CHML 900 AM (Hamilton), CJXY 107.9 FM / Y108 (Hamilton), CJBX 92.7 (BX93) FM (London), CFPL 95.9 FM / FM 96 (London), CFPL 980 AM (London), CFHK 103.1 FM (London-St. Thomas), CD 98.9 FM (Simcoe), CKOT 1510 AM (Tillsonburg), CKOT 101.3 FM (Tillsonburg), CIHR 104.7 FM (Woodstock), CKDK 103.9 FM (Woodstock), Keep up to date on weather conditions which may pose a risk for flooding, such as strong winds and extreme rainfall events. In some cases these events can occur without warning. You should have an emergency plan prepared to protect your property and family during times of high water. This plan should be coordinated with your neighbours and property owners’ association, if one exists.

Be prepared if you live in or work in the flood plain to respond to flood messages issued by the Long Point Region Conservation Authority.

Getting information: Visit the Emergency Management Ontario website at www.emergencymanagementontario.ca. The “Be Prepared” section contains useful information on how to prepare for emergencies.

LPRCA Flood Messages - What are they?

When flooding is possible or about to occur, the LPRCA will issue flood messages to municipal flood coordinators and the media. There are three types of messages:

Watershed Conditions Statement - issued to inform the public and municipalities that the LPRCA is tracking weather conditions to assess the potential for flooding. Creeks, ponds and bank conditions may be unsafe for recreational or other uses. These are general notices of weather conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety or which have the potential to lead to flooding. Two types of statements can be issued:

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety: High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous to recreational users (e.g. hikers, canoeists, children, pets, anglers). Flooding is not expected.

Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook: Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams or a rise in Lake Erie.

Flood Watch - issued when flooding is possible within specific watercourses and/or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should be

prepared.

Flood Warning - issued when flooding is occurring or about to occur within specific watercourses and/or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions.

Floods are not a seasonal phenomenon. Washed-out roads can be experienced at any time of the year.