Residents of Toronto are being urged to stay cautious around waterways after a spell of heavy rainfall over the weekend increased the risk of hazardous conditions across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
On March 22, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a water safety advisory, warning that a mix of rainfall, rising temperatures, and melting snow could lead to higher-than-normal water levels in rivers and streams. Authorities emphasized that riverbanks and shorelines may be unstable and dangerous during this period.
Officials reassured residents that widespread flooding is not expected at this time. However, they stressed the importance of staying alert and avoiding unnecessary travel near water bodies. Toronto recorded approximately 10.9 millimetres of rainfall that day, though forecasts from Environment Canada suggest calmer weather conditions in the days ahead.
The advisory follows a powerful storm earlier in the month that triggered flood warnings across large parts of southern and central Ontario. While many of those warnings have since been downgraded, some regions continue to face ongoing risks.
Communities along the Trent River, particularly in Hastings and Northumberland counties, remain under flood warning. The Lower Trent Conservation has cautioned that elevated water levels and weakened riverbanks pose dangers to both residents and recreational users.
Officials note that water flows from the Kawartha Lakes through the Otonabee River into Rice Lake and further downstream into the Trent River are continuing to rise. Additional inflow from the Crowe River is also contributing to the situation. These levels are expected to increase gradually over the coming days due to ongoing snowmelt in northern regions.
Residents living near affected waterways have been advised to secure belongings and remain prepared for possible localized flooding, especially in low-lying areas where water may encroach on roads, driveways, and properties.
The Otonabee Conservation Authority has also maintained a flood watch for areas surrounding the Trent-Severn Waterway. Warmer temperatures and recent rainfall have accelerated runoff from the Haliburton reservoir lakes, leading to increased flow in rivers feeding into the Kawartha Lakes region.
Authorities warn that minor flooding could persist into the coming week, particularly in flood-prone zones.
Meanwhile, in southwestern Ontario, the Saugeen Conservation Authority has downgraded its flood warning to a flood watch for the community of Pinkerton near Walkerton. Flooding along the Teeswater River remains localized but continues to pose a risk to nearby homes.
Across Ontario, at least 14 conservation authorities from Ottawa to Sarnia still have water safety advisories in place. While the worst of the weather appears to have passed, officials stress that fluctuating temperatures and ongoing snowmelt could prolong hazardous conditions.
Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid rivers, streams, and shorelines, and to stay informed through local advisories as the situation evolves.
