For Immediate Release                                                                                
Flood Warning for Residents of Catfish Creek Watershed
Issued on February 20^th  at 4:50 a.m.
Issued by: Peter Dragunas, Water Management Technician
Catfish Creek Conservation Authority
(519) 773-9037

This is a FLOOD WARNING that flooding is imminent and dangerous water level conditions are occurring in low-lying areas of the Catfish Creek Watershed.

This is a WARNING that flooding is imminent / extremely possible or occurring.

Effective immediately, the Catfish Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Warning for low lying areas within the watershed.  Due to heavy rain, density of the snowpack and a general warming trend there is a high potential for flooding to occur in low-lying areas of the watershed.  This Warning will remain in effect until 1200hrs Wednesday February 21^st and will then expire or be adjusted accordingly.  Residents are asked to watch local conditions closely and take appropriate action.

Environment Canada weather forecast conditions, snowpack water equivalency and the deteriorating ice conditions on the Catfish Creek indicate that potentially high hazard situations exist.  Primary concerns are rapidly increasing creek levels and associated intensifying water flows.   Rapid flooding of low-lying areas, fields, adjacent park land, urban storm drains, small streams, creeks, or urban areas is imminent / extremely possible or occurring.  Creek levels are high and are expected to continue rising.

Levels have reached bank full in most areas throughout the watershed and will escalate over top of bank in low-lying flood prone areas. The public is encouraged to stay away from open bodies of water, and to keep children away from waterways during times of high water levels and flows.

Residents are asked to watch local conditions closely and take appropriate action. Updates will be made available if conditions warrant.