Crashes add up as London region hit with ice pellets, freezing rain
Environment Canada says up to 50 mm of rain could fall by the end of the day
A grab bag of weather that includes freezing rain and ice pellets is creating treacherous road and sidewalk conditions across the London region.
Environment Canada issued rain and freezing rain warnings Wednesday, which started to fall mid-morning.
"We are dealing with multiple collisions on Highway 402 and Highway 401 and throughout the counties. We have ice pellets mixed with freezing rain. It is yucky out here," Const. Jeff Hare said from his cruiser on the 402.
Police are telling people to stay off the roads, and if they have to venture out, to drive slowly and with their headlines turned on.
More rain coming
"We're expecting some decent rain today and into tonight," said Brian Owsiak, an Environment Canada meteorologist. "The significant amount of rainfall at this time of year warrants a rainfall warning. We'll have 10 to 20 mm of rainfall today and then probably another 20 to 30 mm overnight."
Most of the rain will happen in the evening and will ease up overnight, Owsiak said, with some evening thunderstorms possible. The showers will linger into Thursday morning, with sun and cloud marking most of the rest of the day, and sunshine peeking out on Friday and a high of 11 degrees C. with some rain expected on the weekend as well.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority says the Thames River could crest on Thursday afternoon in upstream areas that include Mitchell, Startford and Tavistock. London might see flooding on Friday.
The conservation authority said it will operate its flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood and Pittock conservation areas to reduce downstream flooding.
"Residents are reminded to use extreme caution near all watercourses and stay out of all flooded areas. Stream banks can be slippery and unstable, and the water is cold and fast-moving. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from watercourses," officials said in a statement.
"It is not safe to take shelter along riverbanks or in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding."
