With more rain on the way throughout this week, parts of the region may be in danger of flooding, the local Ministry of Natural Resources office said Tuesday.
“We got an advisory from the MNR Provincial Response Centre yesterday that indicated there was a possibility that a lot more rain is on the way for Dryden, Red Lake, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, and Fort Frances,” noted MNR spokesman Peter Wilkins
But while the ground is certainly wet here, Wilkins added the areas in the most danger are around Red Lake and Kenora.
“They have received a substantial amount of rainfall,” he said. “That, of course, saturates the ground and any more rain would flow–it has no place to go.”
To make matters worse, Wilkins said the latest report from the response centre indicated severe thunderstorms hit those areas last night, dumping as much as 50 mm of rain in a short time.
“They do have flash flood potential in the lowlands and watersheds,” he warned.
Wilkins said he couldn’t speculate on any possible flooding in Rainy River District but he did note the area experienced similar rainy weather last year, which eventually tapered off.
“But we’re watching it very carefully and we’re watching for the advisories,” he said. “If there were a danger of floods, we’ll notify the public instantly through radio, and if need be, bring in our emergency response plan.”
Such a response plan would see the MNR aiding “unincorporated communities,” such as some First Nations, with the possibility of an assisted evacuation.
Municipalities already have emergency response plans in place for disasters such as floods.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
