THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Thunder Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are urging motorists to drive with extra caution as Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the City of Thunder Bay and surrounding area in effect until Thursday evening.
Due to the proposed significant rainfall, mild temperatures and melting snow, motorists are advised to drive with caution as there is a potential for flooding to occur along area roadways and highways.
Avoid driving through flood waters. Find an alternate route
When approaching a flooded area, you can’t be sure of the depth of the water or the condition of the road beneath it, which may be broken up or washed away. There may be no road left under the water.
-15 cm (6 inches) of standing water, sometimes less, can be enough to cause engine stalling.
-In 30 cm (1 foot) of water, a typical car can begin to float and, as traction is lost, so is steering control. If the water is moving, your vehicle could literally float away.
-At 60 cm (two feet) of water, larger vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs are in danger of floating away.
Never drive through fast-moving water, such as an overflowing river, your vehicle could be swept away.
In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. Please do not call the OPP Provincial Communication Centre for road advisory updates or road condition information.
Visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at ontario.ca/511, twitter @511Ontario, or call 5-1-1 for interactive traveller’s information such as winter road conditions, construction reports, road closures, traffic reports, traffic cameras and interactive mapping.
