There's a flood watch in effect for the Toronto area

After Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Toronto today, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has issued a flood watch for the city.

The TRCA advises that 20-40 mm of rain has fallen throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the past 24 hours, with an additional 25 mm on the way this evening.

Water levels within local watercourses are rising due to the rainfall and there is the potential that water levels will exceed its riverbanks resulting in riverine flooding, according to the TRCA.

TRCA has issued a #FloodWatch message for rivers and streams. Details here: https://t.co/gQrTR4nNWW #ONSTORM #ONFLOOD pic.twitter.com/3KMqRA4MRM

— TRCA Flood (@TRCA_Flood) May 1, 2017

“All rivers within the GTA will be experiencing high flows and water levels, resulting in unsafe conditions,” writes the TRCA. “The water levels in many of TRCA’s watercourses are still rising and have yet to peak including the Don River. There is a potential for flooding of roads and trails along streams and rivers including the Bayview Avenue extension. We are closely monitoring other transportation routes and sites adjacent to potentially impacted watercourses.”

The TRCA advises residents to take extreme caution around all bodies of water and avoid driving in low-lying areas and roadways particularly at underpasses, as well as the shoreline.

Earlier, Environment Canada warned of threatening weather including issuing a severe thunderstorm watch with winds capable of gusting up to 90 km/hour, and rainfall up to 25 mm into this afternoon and evening.

Stay safe out there, Toronto.

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