Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Several communities across southern Ontario are under flood advisories as rising temperatures trigger rapid snowmelt following weeks of subzero weather.
The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning through Thursday, covering areas including Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Brantford. Officials say melting snow, combined with possible rainfall, could cause rivers and streams to swell quickly.
The authority also cautioned that weakening river ice may break apart and create ice jams — blockages that restrict water flow and increase the risk of localized flooding.
Similarly, the Halton Conservation Authority warned that low-lying areas, natural floodplains and poorly drained locations in Oakville, Burlington and Milton could experience flooding. Officials noted that past events involving rapid snowmelt and rainfall have led to significant ice jams and property damage.
Further south, the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority reported higher water flows as temperatures climb, though widespread flooding is not currently anticipated in its jurisdiction.
All three authorities are urging residents to exercise caution near rivers and creeks, citing elevated water levels, fast-moving currents and slippery banks as serious hazards.
The warnings follow a record-breaking snowstorm in late January that left substantial accumulation across southern Ontario. Much of the snow remained due to one of the longest cold stretches in a decade.
A similar weather pattern last year — heavy snowfall followed by a rapid thaw — led to flooding in several low-lying communities across Ontario and Quebec. At the time, the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimated insured losses at more than $160 million.
