FORT FRANCES — Fort Frances District is extending its flood watch in the district until May 2.
The Ministry of Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry—Fort Frances District advised area residents on Monday, that a flood watch is in effect in the district until May 2 at 5 p.m.
Officials asked residents in Atikokan, Fort Frances, Mine Centre, Emo, Rainy River and surrounding areas throughout the Fort Frances district to keep a watch on upcoming forecasts and local weather conditions as water levels and flows are currently high. Caution should also be exercised around less travelled roads, lakes, rivers and areas of high runoff potential.
Their news release also stated that, “The Ministry is closely monitoring and developing water shed conditions, and further updates will be issued as appropriate.”
Some technical information offered by the Ministry included that forecast temperatures and precipitation have resulted in elevated water levels and flows due to significant snow melt and runoff.
The concern in their opinion is that, “Water levels continue to rise over the course of the next week due to the widespread rainfall and snow melt experienced late last week and the potential for more precipitation and snow melt this week.”
It is believed that localized flooding is possible in areas where frozen ground has a lessened ability to absorb the rainfall and snow melt.
