A significant amount of rainfall between Feb. 19 and 21 prompted officials to close roads due to flooding.
Police are asking motorists to avoid submerged roads.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) recorded rainfall totals of 20 to 30mm across the watershed between Monday and Tuesday, with 20 to 25mm is expected on Wednesday.
“These current weather conditions are melting the remaining snowpack across the watershed and resulting in very high flows in rivers and streams across the watershed,” stated the GRCA flood warning press release on Feb. 20.
“This will result in flows similar to those experienced during normal spring flooding.”
In Drayton, the Conestogo River spilled its banks at Centennial Park.
The GRCA issued a flood warning for the Level 1 flood zone area around the Drayton agricultural buildings, then later issued a warning for Level 3 flood zone.
The conservation authority is urging extreme caution around all water bodies.
The Saugeen and Credit Valley conservation authorities also issued flood warnings.
A rainfall warning is currently in effect for southern Wellington County, while northern Wellington County is now under a freezing rain warning.
The flooding and excess water prompted the OPP and municipal staff to close roads throughout the county.
“OPP would like to remind everyone that it only takes a small amount of water to dislodge your vehicle,” stated police in a press release.
“Six inches of moving water could be enough to easily wash you and your vehicle off the road. It is also extremely difficult to judge the depth of water on a roadway. Please be safe and avoid crossing over roadways if water flows over it.”
Current closures are:
– Sideroad 5 between First Line West and Third Line West in Centre Wellington;
– Sideroad 6 North between Second Line and Fourth Line in Centre Wellington;
– First Line from fire number 6665 to Sideroad 15 in Centre Wellington;
– Third Line from fire number 5984 to Wellington Road 22 in Centre Wellington;
– Sideroad 3 East, east of Concession 6 in Wellington North was washed out;
– 4th Line between Wellington Road 50 and Sideroad 10 in Erin;
– 3rd Line between Sideroad 5 and Sideroad 10 in Erin;
– Station Street between Trafalgar Road and 6th Line in Erin;
– Sixth Line north of Wellington Road 50 in Guelph-Eramosa;
– Seventh Line between sideroad 20 and Wellington Road 22 in Guelph-Eramosa;
– Indian Trail from Ash Street to first driveway in Guelph-Eramosa;
– William Street at George Street in Harriston (Minto);
– Young Street from Queen Street to George Street in Harriston (Minto); and
– 12th Line Minto closed between Wellington Road 6 and Road 1 North, Minto.
Closures that have reopened are:
– Wellington Road 18, between Salem and Waterloo Regional 86, in Centre Wellington;
– George Street South at Maitland Street in Harriston (Minto);
– Third Line between Sideroad 20 and Wellington Road 22 in Guelph-Eramosa;
– Fourth Line between Wellington Road 124 and Sideroad 20 in Guelph-Eramosa;
– Highway 7 between Guelph city limits and Wellington Road 29 in Guelph-Eramosa; and
– the intersection of Highway 124 and Wellington Road 52, in Erin,
Elsewhere:
– Main Street in Grand Valley was also closed due to rising water levels.
