Parks, roads and trails closed as flooding reported throughout Waterloo region, Guelph

Flooding is being reported in Waterloo region after heavy rain Tuesday morning.

Waterloo regional police said on social media officers are at several locations where roadways and transit crossings are flooded, including:

• Block Line Road and Courtland Avenue E.
• Kinzie Avenue and Weber Street E.
• Greenbrook Drive.
• Warren Road.

Residents in Waterloo were also warned of potential flooding in an alert from the city.

The alert said the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has warned "there is risk for potential flooding in the City, specifically in the Laurel Creek flood plain, due to heavy rain."

People are reminded to take safety precautions to protect themselves and their property.

The GRCA says parts of the area covered in its watershed have received 60 mm of rain in the past 24 hours with up to 20 mm more possible Tuesday.

"Water levels and flows in rivers and streams throughout the watershed are elevated. The forecasted rain, combined with isolated thunderstorms, will increase water levels further," the GRCA said in a flood outlook message Tuesday.

"The reservoirs will continue to be operated to manage runoff and reduce downstream flooding."

Service Cambridge is also, "experiencing higher than normal call volumes" due to the weather, the city said in a release, warning wait times could be longer than usual.

"There could be some flooding in low lying areas if drainage systems are overwhelmed. If there is a storm drain in front of your home, please make sure it is clear of debris to keep the water moving," the City of Cambridge said.

The city said Tuesday afternoon it has proactively closed:

• All city parks.
• Mill Run Trail at Beaverdale and Speedsville Road.
• Lower Linear Trail.
• Parking lots at Riverside Park and the ring road is blocked off.
• Soper Park, particularly around the tennis courts.
• Blackbridge Road.

The city says departments are working "closely together to mobilize and respond accordingly to this significant rainfall event. Staff continue to check on the conditions of trails, roads and parks as well as following up on resident reports."

The Ontario Provincial Police also reported the Highway 7/8 westbound off ramp to Courtland in Cambridge was closed due to flooding and "multiple locations" across the Greater Toronto Area highways, including along the QEW near Guelph Line, were also flooded. 

"Please drive to the conditions, slow down and put your full headlight system on," the OPP highway safety division said on X, formerly Twitter.

Water safety importance

With mass amounts of rainfall and water levels continuing to rise, experts are stressing the importance of safety in and around rivers.

This comes as Waterloo regional police continue to search for two missing women who were seen in distress while boating on the Grand River in Kitchener on Saturday night. Police pulled a body from the river Monday night, but it's yet to be confirmed whether it's one of the two women.

Shelley Jo Holmes of Canoeing the Grand says if the water is too high, they won't let customers rent canoes or kayaks. 

"I've been doing this for so long, I have certain markers on the river that I know if the water is to that level, I don't send people out or we adjust what boat we could send out and equipment we use," said Holmes.

She adds that water levels typically rise gradually but boaters need to be aware of their surroundings. It's also important to travel in the right type of watercraft.

"The difference between what an outfitter would put out and what you might get at Walmart or off of Amazon is a huge difference," explained Holmes.

"At the end of the day, people are out enjoying the river. They are going for walks and it can be safe, you just have to use precaution."