MVCA continues flood warning; monitoring Lucknow and Wingham

A flood warning issued by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), Tuesday, remains in
place for the entire Maitland and Nine Mile River watersheds.

Over the past 72 hours, rainfall amounts have ranged from 35-40 millimetres (mm) in the Ethel area to 70 mm in Lucknow, 85 mm in Blyth and more than 90 mm in Benmiller.

River levels have peaked in Listowel and Harriston and are now slowly receding. The Middle Maitland River through Brussels continued to rise until Wednesday evening, although levels are expected to be slightly below those seen in December of 2008.

Maitland Conservation staff is closely monitoring the communities of Lucknow and Wingham.

In Lucknow, water levels were expected to peak around noon Wednesday, but remain high for
approximately 12 hours before beginning to recede. The previous recorded high for flows in Lucknow was 26 cubic metres per second (cm/s) from April of 2008. Early Wednesday morning, flows of over 41 cm/s were recorded at Maitland Conservation’s gauging station in Lucknow.

In Wingham, levels continued to rise Wednesday with the peak being reached Wednesday evening. Levels are expected to be slightly lower than those seen in December, 2008, but flooding will occur in
traditional areas.

Maitland Conservation staff is also in the field monitoring conditions in Port Albert. High flows will be experienced in Port Albert over the next 18 hours.

The Benmiller area has received a significant amount of rain over the past three days. Flows through the Lower Maitland River will be high and fast for the next several days. Currently, the river is flowing at 841 cm/s at the Benmiller gauging station. This flow exceeds the previous recorded high for that gauging station.

Ice jams in the Lower Maitland River have been broken up by high flows and the river is now open.

The public is reminded to stay away from all watercourses and never attempt to drive around road barriers through flooded areas. Fast flows and extremely cold water temperatures will make all watercourses extremely dangerous.

This message will remain in effect until 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22.