Storm Tracker

Safety is Kenora OPP's primary concern for those in the evacuation zone north of the Kenora by-pass.

Around 444 properties are in the evacuation zone, though a number of residents have decided to hunker down and stay in their homes.

"If there are any concerns for people, that you may not have heard from in a while, definitely give us a call so we can do check-ins on people to make sure they are doing alright and staying safe," said OPP Provincial Constable Jason Canfield.

The flood warning that was issued for the Dryden District by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry has been extended.

The warning, which was set to expire today, has been extended to Friday, May 27.

Like most areas in northwestern Ontario, Sioux Lookout is dealing with severely high water levels, and now the municipality is taking action to protect its residents and property from flooding.

The Municipality's Manager of Public Works and Infrastructure, Jeff Hawley says in a prepared release they are advising residents to avoid the pedestrian bridge at the Travel Information Centre as both ends are blocked off.

Public Works Operations Manager, Mat Lelonde notes they are working with residents that are impacted by flooding in low-lying areas.

Various roadways north of the Kenora by-pass have been closed due to flooding, cutting off many residents to the community, as well as their cottages.

As we head into the May long weekend, Kenora Fire Chief, Kent Readman is advising cottage and homeowners entering into those areas to use extreme caution.

“There are certain roads closed, so plan ahead for that,” says Readman. “Be careful there are high water levels in certain parts of the city and in the unincorporated area. Stay away from those high water levels.”

The City of Kenora is set to resume work on the East Melick Road and Essex Road intersection to lay a top surface to build up the road and open it.

This work is expected to take one day.

The city says the work can be completed because the water in that area has shown some consistency over the last week.

Upon completion the city will focus on the flooded area of East Melick Road that is 500m north of Bells Point Road, similar efforts will be made to raise the roadway to a safe level as has been completed near the Essex Road intersection.

Yet another rainfall warning has been issued for the region as a storm system draws near.

Environment Canada says between 20 - 40 mm of rain could fall between Thursday evening (May 19) and Friday overnight (May 20).

Temperatures are expected to drop into the low single digits on Friday. As a result, the rain may become mixed with wet snow at times. However, most of the snow should melt on contact and no snowfall accumulations are anticipated.

Everyone is pitching in to help those looking to save property from flooding north of the Kenora by-pass.

Today (Thursday, May 19) staff and students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School worked hard today to fill more than 1,200 sandbags for those who are looking to protect their property from flooding.

The rain came fast and furious on Wednesday (May 18, 2022), adding to the over 100 millimetres the area has received this month.

“17 mm of rain at the Kenora Airport yesterday, so it’s a good rainfall, it wasn’t actually that much I imagine some areas got more,” says Peter Kimbell, Environment Canada Meteorologist.

To date, 107.6 mm of rain has fallen in Kenora this month. This is well above the average for May of 80.8 mm.

The skies were also filled with spurts of lightning and rattling thunderstorms throughout the day as well.

As of 8:30 am Thursday, May 19:

East Melick Road closed at Essex Road.

East Melick Road is closed 600m north of the Portier bridge. 

City of Kenora officials issued a flood watch on Sunday (May 15, 2022) for Carlton Road, Anderson Branch Road, and Peterson Road as city road patrollers are concerned with rising water levels in those areas.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

Water levels across the watershed are rapidly approaching the 2014 peak level.

Lake of the Woods rose 26 cm over the past week sitting at an average level of 323.66 m, which is over the 95th percentile level for this time of year.

An official with the Lake of the Woods Control Boards, says the Winnipeg River is up about 6 feet.

The water level along the Winnipeg River, between Kenora and Minaki, is expected to rise 12 - 16 cm over the next week and will continue to rise, along with Lake of the Woods, for the foreseeable future.