Several local conservation authorities are warning of the potential for minor roadway or property flooding this weekend.
Significant rain is expected across the entire region over the next 36 hours. Current forecasts are predicting 50-80 mm. The entire region is under a rainfall warning.
The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority has also issued a flood watch for its watershed.
The area has received up to 89 mm of rain in the past week, saturating the ground and leaving watercourses bank-full. Flooding is expected in low lying areas along the Saugeen, Pine and Penetangore Rivers, along with the Lake Huron fringe watersheds.
The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch as well. Flows in rivers and watercourses are higher than normal for this time of year.
The communities most susceptible to flooding include Grand Valley, Drayton, New Hamburg, Cayuga, Ayr and low lying trailer parks along the Grand River.
The major reservoirs at Belwood, Conestogo, Guelph, Luther, Woolwich, Laurel, and Shades Mills are within their normal operating ranges for this time of year.
And the Flood Forecast Centre of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority issued a watershed conditions statement. Weekend flooding is possible in low-lying areas of the Maitland and Nine Mile River watercourses.
Maitland Conservation reports that average rainfall for the month of May in the watershed is 87 mm. If predicted rain amounts materialize, they will be close to that average only six days into the month. April precipitation was 20% above average.
Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses.
