High water levels have the local conservation authority keeping an eye out for possible flooding across the region.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority issued a flood outlook statement late Tuesday afternoon, which stated that the Thames River will rise and flood the low lying river flats from Delaware down to Chatham. Ice on the Thames is also expected to break up, which could cause minor ice jams.
The warm spell over the last few days has caused most of the snow in the Lower Thames watershed, which raised the water level of all watercourses. With five millimetres of freezing rain expected overnight, another 10-15 millimetres of freezing rain on Wednesday, and 10-15 millimetres of rain on Thursday, water levels will remain high throughout the week and may aggravate any ice jamming.
"The potential still exists for further ice blockages and localized flooding later this week," the conservation authority said in its statement.
Residents are urged to take extra caution and avoid the rivers, ditches, and streams. The combination of slippery banks, broken or unstable ice and fast moving cold water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children and pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.