The Essex Region Conservation Authority is keeping a close eye on the forecast.
The authority has issued a flood outlook as a significant weather system is set to make its way over the province potentially dumping heavy rain on the region. That, combined with above-normal temperatures resulting in snowmelt, could lead to flooding.
ERCA's Director of Watershed Management Tim Byrne says the ground is already saturated. "Any measurable precipitation falling throughout the region in a fast rate will instantly be converted to runoff and we will see accumulated standing water and resulting flooding."
Bernie adds that a slower, lighter rain won't be as much of a concern. "We, right now, are basically at the whims of nature, at the whims of the weather and we're just hoping for a very slow rate of rainfall [and] our system should be able to respond and handle that without flooding."
The rainfall outlook is in effect until 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Byrne says it could be upgraded to a watch or warning if the track of the system brings heavier rain to the region.