Flood Forecasting & Warning
Long Point Region Conservation Authority is working to protect people and property from flooding. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year LPRCA staff are making sure municipal flood coordinators have up-to-date and accurate information so flood events can be handled accordingly. Every day, staff monitor precipitation, creek flows, weather forecasts and other prediction models to determine the potential for flooding in the Long Point Region watershed.
LPRCA is mandated by the Province of Ontario to reduce the risk to life and damage to property from flood hazards and is responsible for developing and maintaining a forecasting and warning system, delivered in coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and local municipalities. Floods are forecast by LPRCA to the greatest extent possible and municipalities prepare and implement plans to allow quick response to emergency situations created by flooding. LPRCA provides input into municipal flood emergency planning and assists municipalities during emergency response situations.
When flooding is possible or about to occur, LPRCA issues messaging to flood coordinators and the media, in a format consistent across Conservation Authorities and in line with weather terminology used by Environment Canada and the Weather Network. The latest flood status is always available on the Flood Status & Messages page and through the visual indicator on the LPRCA website homepage.
Flood conditions are possible at any time of the year and can be caused by a number of factors, including rapid snow melt, ice jams, long-lasting rainfall over a broad area or locally intense rainfall events. In LPRCA’s jurisdiction, high water levels in Lake Erie combined with strong winds is a common cause of flood events along the lake shoreline.
Flooding in Ontario
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the world and are considered the most significant natural hazard in Ontario in terms of death, damage and civil disruption. The province has a history of severe flood events, including the 1954 event when Hurricane Hazel passed over the Toronto area resulting in over 80 lives lost, hundreds left homeless and extensive damage to municipal and private infrastructure. Following Hurricane Hazel, the flood forecasting and warning system was established.