Rainfall warning issued for Ottawa region

Environment Canada confirmed Thursday what people in Ottawa and Gatineau and the region have been bracing for all week: a lot more rain is coming.

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The national weather agency has issued a rainfall warning for all of south and eastern Ontario, as well as Gatineau and the surrounding areas in west Quebec.

The rain is expected to begin after midnight tonight and continue through Sunday in Ottawa and Gatineau and areas east of Ottawa, dropping between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain by the end of the weekend.

Even more rain is expected to fall in regions west and south of Ottawa, with 40 to 70 millimetres forecast by Saturday for communities including Kingston, Petawawa, Renfrew, Arnprior, Bancroft, Sharbot Lake, Tweed, South Frontenac and Napanee.

Flooding has already been a problem in communities along the Ottawa River and Environment Canada notes the rain won't help.

"The ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall," the weather agency notes.

"With the ground already saturated, there is the potential for local flooding."

Environment Canada advises people to stay away from washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts, keep children and pets away from creeks and river banks and consider moving valuable items to higher levels.