KITCHENER: Environment Canada has issued a flood warning for the Waterloo region as the area grapples with heavy rainfall and damaging winds. Since early Friday morning, the region has been battered by thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching up to 90 km/h.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has issued a safety alert for residents living near riverbanks and for commuters. Officials noted that the combination of heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt is expected to cause a significant rise in water levels, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
The weather office indicates that while rain is expected to persist through Saturday, a sharp drop in temperature will eventually transition the precipitation into snowfall. Residents are strictly advised to stay away from rivers, streams, and creeks, as unstable ice banks and fast-flowing water pose a severe risk. The warning specifically urges parents and pet owners to keep children and animals a safe distance from all bodies of water.
In addition to the flood risk, reports suggest that areas including Cambridge should prepare for heavy snowfall in the coming days as the storm system evolves.
