Overflowing ice on the Ganaraska River forced the closure of some roads in downtown Port Hope early Wednesday morning.
Crews spent overnight breaking up the excess ice which had accumulated after Tuesday’s significant rainfall and temperatures that hovered over 10 C.
The ice flows extended onto several roadways and flooded several homes along Queen and Mill streets near the mouth of the river flowing into Lake Ontario.
The nearby Ruth Clarke Activity Centre for seniors on Mill St. was also closed due to roadway flooding.
Crews declared the ice jams were cleared around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday but cleanup continues.
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority issued a watershed condition bulletin Tuesday, cautioning the melting snow will contribute runoff into area bodies of water. Around 40 to 60 millimetres of rainfall is forecast over the next few days for the region.
“There is currently a significant amount of snowpack in the watershed and partial ice cover on most of the local streams,” stated Mike Smith, flood operations officer.
“The forecast rainfall, mild temperatures and melting snow will contribute runoff causing water levels and flows in local streams to rise. There is potential for ice-break up and subsequent ice jams. All water bodies, including ponds, streams and many ditches will be flowing higher than normal. No flooding is anticipated at this time.”
The municipality advises sections of Queen, Mill, Hayward and Madison streets will remain closed Wednesday as crews remove ice and pump water.
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