The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) urges residents to prepare for significant rainfall this week.
After Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning on Tuesday afternoon, ERCA has put out a flood watch, taking what has already fallen this week into account.
"While the soil may not be saturated, some tributaries are still draining the runoff from those minor events," said ERCA Watershed Management Services Director James Bryant. "If any large area receives roughly 50 millimetres of rainfall, small drainage features, drains, and creeks are expected to be near or at capacity and flowing full. Larger receiving watercourses, rivers, and streams, may also rise over time and spill into low-lying lands. Ponding in low-lying areas is expected across the region."
Heavy downpours could result in drainage systems being overwhelmed, with soil or bank erosion possible in low-lying areas near municipal drains.
The flood watch is active through noon on Thursday.
