Spring melt starts as flood alerts issued for Thames River

Flooding and dangerous waterways are likely in the coming days as rain starts falling overnight Tuesday in the London, Ont., area.

Environment Canada is forecasting up to 25 mm of rain into Wednesday, with mild temperatures melting the piles of snow accumulated this winter. Even more unusual for this time of year are the thunderstorms the weather agency is predicting.

"The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall," Environment Canada said in a statement warning of floods.

That message is being reiterated by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), which has been keeping watch on the river and monitoring the amount of water in the snowpack.

"We've been running our models, and the spring melt is beginning," said Eleanor Heagy from the conservation authority.

"The streams, rivers, creeks in the rural areas and the ditches and ponds are going to be hazardous," Heagy said. "Any ice that's left on any of the ponds is going to be really weak and unstable. So stay off the stay off any ice."

The warning also goes for people and their dogs walking along the Thames River in the city. 

"Please do be safe, especially as March Break is approaching. Kids might not be thinking about the dangers when they're out having fun."

In the past, London has seen significant flooding in Harris Park, at Western University, and occasionally along the north branch tributary off of Adelaide Street.

Last summer, a child drowned in the Thames River when she was pulled under near Adelaide Street and Kipps Lane.