West Nipissing declares state of emergency as flooding worsens across northeastern Ontario

The Municipality of westward Nipissing has stated a tell of exigency as flooding worsens crosswise the region, with rising water levels, road washouts and ongoing rainfall creating a rapidly evolving situation.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has issued a flood watch. Municipal crews, Ontario Provincial Police and fire services continue patrols in affected areas.

Several roads are now closed due to flooding. These include:

Officials are warning motorists not to drive through flooded areas.

"Driving through flooded or water-covered roads is dangerous and unpredictable. Water levels may be deeper than they appear, and road washouts can occur suddenly," the municipality said in a public notice.

Residents are being urged to prepare for possible evacuation if conditions worsen. 

Angela Mills, water resources specialist with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, says the region has already seen unusually high precipitation this month.

"We are more than 200 per cent of normal April precipitation, and we're only halfway through the month. Things have been very wet very quickly, and that water is now moving through the system," she said.

The heavy rain has already led to record-setting flows in some areas.

"The flow in Chippawa Creek was 18 per cent higher than the previous recorded maximum, which was in 1980," Mills said, pointing to data from Tuesday.

She says flooding is being driven by a combination of rainfall and melting snowpack, and large volumes of water are still expected to move through major watersheds feeding Lake Nipissing and the Ottawa River.

"Lake Nipissing has been rising quite rapidly," she said. "That is expected to continue to rise for a little bit still."

Mills added that a flood warning for the lake shoreline is likely in the coming days.

According to Mills, water levels in the Mattawa River system, which has been seeing high flows, seem to have plateaued. 

While some local waterways may be nearing their peak, she cautioned that the situation remains highly dependent on weather conditions.

"If we get a significant rain event that comes through, that will change things dramatically," she said.

A flood warning means immediate action may be required, she added. That can include road closures and evacuations.

The Township of Chisholm has also declared a state of emergency, with road closures in the Wasi Lake area.

Mills said water levels there appear to still be rising as the watershed in the north of Algonquin Park drains through the system.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has also issued flood warnings for the French River watershed, the southern part of the Sturgeon River and the upper Ottawa River. The Ottawa River itself is not under a flood warning.

In North Bay, Mayor Peter Chirico said conditions remain stable for now, but are being closely watched.

"With the rain today, we are seeing some increase in some flow, but we're still below our maximum level," he said.

The city has begun distributing sandbags to residents in vulnerable shoreline areas and says it is prepared if conditions worsen.

He noted the sudden rainfall earlier this week caught many off guard.

"I don't think you could have prepared well enough for that. It was just one of those things," he said, calling it "a 100-year storm."

West Nipissing has begun distributing sand in several communities, including:

Sandbags are also typically available for purchase at Sturgeon Falls Home Hardware, Simcoe Northern Supply and OCP Construction Supplies in North Bay.

Residents are responsible for filling and transporting their own bags.

The City of North Bay said Friday that it is preparing sand and sandbags starting this weekend, as "the potential for flooding along the Lake Nipissing shoreline increases."

Officials are urging people to remain vigilant, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, and to avoid unnecessary travel.

Residents using private wells are also being warned that flooding could contaminate drinking water and are advised to stop using it if contamination is suspected.

Reporter

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