The Township of Ramara has pulled out its “road closed” signs earlier than expected due to flooding.
Sideroad 5/6 and Concession Road D/E were closed Wednesday from 6128 Sideroad 5/6 north to Concession Road D/E. Also, Concession Road D/E has been closed from Given Road to Sideroad 5/6.
Concession Road 2, from the Lafarge quarry to Sideroad 5, is also closed until further notice.
The area near Lafarge floods and is shut down “pretty much every spring,” said Kathy Sipos, the township’s manager of municipal works. However, the thaw came earlier than usual, with Tuesday’s rain and mild temperatures.
“We usually don’t get the rain and the snow melt in February,” Sipos said. “There’s a lot of water moving right now.”
The township is keeping an eye on the Black and Talbot rivers, too.
“They’re both rising, but they’re not at critical levels yet,” Sipos said.
Load restrictions have also been placed on township roads earlier than planned.
“The roads are starting to break up” due to the thaw, Sipos explained.
Those restrictions usually come into effect at the beginning of March.
Township crews cleaned out catch basins last week, but they can only do so much, so Sipos urges residents to monitor catch basins and keep them clear.
She also advises them to keep an eye on culverts. If there’s a lot of water on one end of a culvert but not on the other, it is probably frozen, impeding water flow. In that case, residents are advised to contact the township, which will address the problem.
For updates, visit ramara.ca or call 705-484-5374.
The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority issued a warning Wednesday, noting flooding had been reported in some areas along Lake Simcoe in Innisfil and Georgina.
“All watercourses in our area will experience higher than normal water levels,” according to a statement on its website. “As a result, local streams and rivers will remain dangerous, especially in the vicinity of culverts and bridges. Children should be warned to stay away from all watercourses. Residents are advised to take immediate precautions to protect themselves, their pets and their property.”
The flood warning will be in effect until Friday.
Updates on flooding in the Lake Simcoe watershed are posted at lsrca.on.ca.
