25-35MM OF RAIN NEXT FEW DAYS PROMPTS SAFETY STATEMENT

PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — A forecast of 25-35mm of rain through Friday has the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety.

It is in place until Wednesday and affects residents in the MNRF’s Parry Sound District, which includes Muskoka, Parry Sound and a north-west Haliburton.

They say higher water levels and flow conditions are anticipated as a result of melting snow, and rain for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Residents are reminded to keep a close watch on conditions and regularly check for updated messages.

With the rain and warmer temperatures, banks and shorelines adjacent to water bodies can be extremely slippery and unstable.

So be cautious around water and maintain close supervision of children and pets. Ice conditions will continue to deteriorate on local lakes.

The MNRF also advises extreme caution when using forest access roads for outdoor activities as they may become seasonally inundated with water, are prone to washouts and may become impassible due to localized flooding.

DEFINITIONS:

  • WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.

LEARN MORE:

  • Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage www.ontario.ca/flooding
  • Environment Canada bulletins: www. weather.gc.ca
  • A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended.
A wet end to the month has the MNRF urging caution around water the next week.