**TIMMINS FLOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE NEWS RELEASE**

The Timmins Flood Advisory Committee has issued a Flood Watch for the Mattagami River. The Committee reports that the most recent streamflow information for the Mattagami River watershed shows that the elevation of many area rivers and streams are still rising in response to the recent precipitation and continued snowmelt. There is still a substantial amount of snow remaining in outlying areas, so the upward trend is expected to continue.

A Flood Watch message serves as notification to the general public that the potential for flooding exists. On the Mattagami River system, water elevations are continuing to rise and could reach the critical first stage flood level over the coming days. Residents at this point in time may experience some flooding of low lying areas.

City residents living near lakes and rivers are reminded to remove unsecured material and equipment from shoreline areas as water elevations continue to rise. They should also be prepared with a household emergency plan should a flood emergency be declared. Parents are again asked to let their children know about the dangers of playing in and around lakes, rivers and streams.

The Flood Committee will continue to meet on a regular basis to review watershed conditions and forecasts. Further updates will be issued in the coming days as conditions change. For more information, contact the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority at 360-2660.

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