Flood warning system

We forecast floods and issue flood warnings to municipal flood co-ordinators. The co-ordinators then implement their own local flood response plan and assist local residents.

Our staff work closely with municipal flood co-ordinators, police, emergency management officials and others to operate, test and improve the flood warning system.

Flood messages are sent to radio stations, televisions stations and newspapers in the Grand River watershed and surrounding regions. Media outlets usually post these messages on their websites.

How you can receive flood messages

Members of the public can receive flood messages directly.

• Subscribe to receive flood messages by email.
• Follow us on X at grca_flood_msg.

Flood status indicator

A banner at the top of each page of this website shows the current flood status.

• Green status circle: No flooding
• Yellow status circle: Watershed conditions statement
• Orange status circle: Flood Watch
• Red status circle: Flood Warning

Flood messages

We issue three types of flood messages:

1. Watershed Conditions Statement (Yellow)

   • There are two categories of watershed condition statements:

     • Water Safety: High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors have made watercourses dangerous for recreational users, e.g., canoeists, swimmers, anglers, hikers, boaters, etc., but flooding is not expected.
     • Flood Outlook: Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could result in high runoff or ice jams or lakeshore flooding.

2. Flood Watch (Orange)

   • A Flood Watch means that flooding is possible. Municipalities and individuals should prepare.

3. Flood Warning (Red)

   • A Flood Warning means flooding is occurring or is about to occur. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations. The warning may include forecasts of how high the water will rise and the time of the peak.