Flood advisories extended across Simcoe Muskoka as ‘worst’ melt season continues

Another winter storm came to the region dumping more snow making roads wet and slushy.

The combination of the intense winter that was, this past week’s rapid melt, and the back-and-forth mix of rain and snow to come has led to local flood advisories getting extended into next week and beyond.

Simcoe County

“This is really one of the worst spring melt seasons, and rain seasons on top of that, that we have seen in a few years actually,” said Dalia Al-Ali, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) Manager of Engineering Services, in a Friday interview with CTV News.

A day earlier, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and NVCA had extended their flood watches through this coming Tuesday.

“The combination of slippery and unstable banks, higher than normal flows and cold-water temperature will increase already hazardous conditions close to any river, stream or other water bodies, especially in the vicinity of culverts and bridges,” said the LSRCA in part of its notice.

“Water may overflow banks and cause flooding in some areas. Widespread flooding is not anticipated at this time, but low-lying and flood-vulnerable areas may be impacted,” added the NVCA in part of its notice.

Some of those areas were in Essa Township. According to the NVCA, the Nottawasaga River and Pine River are exceeding their capacity, which led to water levels rising to two feet on some Angus Roads.

The good news is the township confirmed on Friday that all but one flooded area on Don Ross Drive had been addressed.

“The Township has been monitoring the situation, deploying pumps in localized flooding areas,” said John Kolb, Essa Township Manager of Public Works, in a Friday interview with CTV News. “We also provided three different locations where residents were able to get sand and sandbags.”

Muskoka

Up in Muskoka, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) issued a Flood Outlook bulletin for the Bracebridge-Minden-Parry Sound district through next Friday.

“Higher than normal flow conditions are occurring throughout the area due to recent rainfall and snowmelt. Slippery stream banks and fast flowing, cold water will create hazardous conditions around all water bodies,” said the MNR in part of its Friday notice. “Residents that have been affected by high water and flow conditions in the past should continue to take necessary action to protect/secure any vulnerable property in proximity to rivers and lakes and closely monitor developing conditions.”

Safety Messaging

Local conservation authorities and the MNR are urging the following actions for those living near flood-prone areas:

• Avoid flooded areas and rising waterways, by foot and by vehicle.
• Clear snow and ice from property foundation walls and window wells to prevent water pooling or seeping into basements.
• Make sure sump pumps are in good working order.
• Clear gutters from ice and debris.
• Direct water away from properties.
• Keep valuables and important documents on higher ground.
• Consider backflow prevention valves in basement drains.