​Rising water levels expected overnight in Lucknow; high-risk property owners notified

The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) advises that water levels in the Nine Mile River, which includes Lucknow and surrounding areas in Huron-Kinloss Township, will continue rising this evening (March 11) and are expected to peak overnight. Conditions may change quickly, and localized flooding remains possible throughout the community.

Residents are encouraged to monitor conditions closely and ensure they have a clear, safe route available to leave their property and to allow emergency responders access, if needed.

Township staff is delivering door-to-door notices to Lucknow properties, identified as most likely to be impacted based on conservation authority modelling and local flood history. However, localized flooding can still occur anywhere in Lucknow.

If you did not receive a notice, you may still be at risk, especially if your property is close to the river, municipal drains, or low-lying areas. Continue to monitor conditions and take precautions. Township staff is actively monitoring conditions and will continue targeted outreach based on updated conditions.

To help protect your home and reduce flood impacts, residents in flood-prone areas may wish to take the following steps:
 

• Confirm your sump pump is working properly; check back-up power if you have it.
• Move valuables, electronics, and stored items to higher levels.
• Clear basement floor drains and ensure downspouts are extending well away from your foundation.
• Keep ditches or culverts near your home, clear of debris only if it is safe to do so.
• Secure outdoor items that could shift or block drainage routes.

Snowmelt, heavy rain, and warmer temperatures can cause water levels and ice conditions to change quickly. Please keep these safety tips in mind:
 

• Stay back from riverbanks and shorelines. Saturated ground and erosion can make edges unstable.
• Keep children and pets well away from rivers, streams, ditches, and drainage areas.
• Avoid all ice activities. Melting ice can weaken from underneath and may not be visible.
• Never walk or drive through flooded or fast-moving water. It may be deeper or more dangerous than it appears.
• Call 911 in an emergency. Do not attempt rescue from icy or fast‑moving water on your own.
• If you must travel, check Municipal 511 for real-time road closures and conditions. 

The Township will continue to monitor conditions closely and will provide further updates as new information becomes available. Updated information will be posted as a News Item on the Township website and shared on the Township of Huron‑Kinloss Facebook page. 

Residents can also follow the conservation authorities for direct watershed updates:

Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) 

• Visit the MVCA website 
• Follow MVCA on Facebook 

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) 

• Visit the SVCA website 
• Follow SVCA on Facebook 

If you encounter an emergency, call 911.