Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Thursday night that will impact a major chunk of northeastern Ontario including the North Bay-West Nipissing area.
Environment Canada predicts rainfall amounts of 20 to 30 millimetres of rain and high local amounts are expected in thunderstorms.
That rain is expected to begin late Friday night and ending Sunday morning.
"The heaviest rain is expected to fall Saturday into Saturday night," Environment Canada stated.
"Locally higher amounts are likely in thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening."
"Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible."
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
More details on the alert are available here.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) also warned the community about the upcoming weather system.
"North Bay District, is advising area residents that a Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook is in effect in the district until 4 p.m. Thursday, May 02, 2024 unless it’s updated or replaced by this time," the MNRF says in a Watershed Conditions Statement.
"Residents in the North Bay District area (excluding the Lake Temagami, Sturgeon River, Lake Nipissing and Upper French River areas, as a specific flood bulletin has been issued for these areas) should keep a close watch on conditions and exercise caution around rivers and streams. Please alert and monitor any children under your care to possible dangers and supervise their activities.
The MNRF says the recent rain events in addition to a new weather system arriving on Saturday and persisting into next week could cause local flooding in low lying areas.
The ministry is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions.
