The flood warning for areas along the Mattagami River has been downgraded, and Norman Street and McChesney Road are again open to traffic.
The flood situation along those roads has eased enough to allow it. Timmins Police communications coordinator Marc Depatie cautions, however, that pothole patching and other repair work is continuing.
“That’s ongoing so motorists should be aware of the fact that they should see crews at work in these areas, so added attention in required,” says Depatie.
Conservation authority manager David Vallier says water levels dropped by 20 centimetres overnight Monday to Tuesday. That’s because of reduced flow from tributaries, no snow left in the bush, and very little rainfall.
“Although (water levels) are still high, as a group we’ve decided to downgrade the flood warning to a flood watch and that flood watch will be in effect until next Monday,” he reports.
Vallier quickly adds that vigilance is still required.
“Any large rain events could still potentially impact the river,” Vallier notes, “due to the fact that the storages in the upper reservoirs are still fairly high.”
Back on the roads, Depatie reiterates his earlier precaution not to rubberneck where the water is still close to the road.
“This is an affected area that is very close to the flooding situation that we have and that can naturally take the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. So obviously, there’s an added requirement to be particularly attentive in these areas.”