UPDATE: Warm temperatures and rapid snow melt have caused some significant overland flooding in the R.M. of Dufferin. As a result, the Municipality has declared a local state of emergency.
    
Reeve George Gray says initial predictions were that this wasn't going to be an issue.

"With the double-freezing the culverts froze up, we had snow in the ditches and huge amounts of ice in the ditches, sometimes two and three feet thick, and then when the melt started to occur those drains were full...and the water wasn't strong enough to cut through it."

He adds because the water couldn't flow, it became backed-up in the ditches which couldn't contain it all.

Areas of concern include a spot north of Homewood along PR 305, at Roseisle east of Highway 245 and in the St. Daniel area. 
    
Gray explains that the local state of emergency will allow public works crews to access private property in order to clear drains and other blockages. "I'd like to congratulate our Public Works department, they've been working twenty four-seven to get this all corrected."

He says crews have been able to keep all yard sites safe so far, with only one homeowner reporting water in the basement.