The waters of the Thames River are mingling with the shoreline in downtown Chatham.
With areas upstream in Chatham-Kent experiencing flooding, the rising waters are pushing downtown stream and are affecting areas such as downtown Chatham.
On both sides of the river in the downtown area, crews from the municipality are putting up barricades and blocking off other areas as the water levels begin to climb.
In the early afternoon, most businesses along the Thames St side of the river closed up shop early so preparations could be made. A municipal parking lot close to the shoreline near the 3rd St. bridge was completely underwater by 2pm with water saturating the park and seeping onto Thames St.
The municipality says the river is expected to continue to rise throughout Chatham-Kent, reaching a peak in Chatham by mid-day Saturday.
Premier Kathleen Wynne has also lent her voice to the flooding issues currently faced by the municipality.
"Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas are facing heavy flooding," the premier says in a tweet. "My thoughts are with the people in these communities — Ontario will support you during this emergency and as you rebuild and recover."
Rising waters of the Thames River in downtown Chatham on February 23, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
The municipal parking lot on Thames St in downtown Chatham is underwater on February 23, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
A delivery of bottled water on behalf of Teksavvy is delivered to the Bradley Convention Centre on February 23, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
The Thames River in downtown Chatham near the 5th St. Bridge, on February 23, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Cryderman)
The Thames River in downtown Chatham near the 5th St. Bridge, on February 23, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Cryderman)
The Thames River in downtown Chatham near the 5th St. Bridge, on February 23, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Cryderman)
The Thames River in downtown Chatham near the 5th St. Bridge, on February 23, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Cryderman)
The Thames River in downtown Chatham near the 5th St. Bridge, on February 23, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Cryderman)
The Thames River in downtown Chatham near the 5th St. Bridge, on February 23, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Cryderman)
A Chatham-Kent public works crew blocks off Thames St. downtown in anticipation of flood waters on February 23, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
