LPRCA Factsheet - Long Point Region Conservation Authority

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.
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.
Significant damage can occur to roads and bridges
as a result of storm surges along the Lake Erie
shoreline.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Floods are not a seasonal phenomenon. Washed-out
roads can be experienced at any time of the year.
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.