The Lower Thames Valley Conversation Authority has issued yet another Flood Watch for residents of the Lake Erie shoreline, including Erie Shore Drive and Shrewsbury.
A Strong Wind Warning has been issued by Environment Canada for western Lake Erie due to the potential for strong southerly winds beginning Wednesday evening and lasting throughout the day Thursday.
Winds are currently gentle from the south in the region. Forecasts predict that winds will begin to pick up Wednesday evening and switch to a more southeasterly direction. Overnight or Thursday morning, winds are predicted to switch back to the southwest. Some forecasts suggest winds on the open water of Lake Erie could reach 35 km/hr on Thursday.
Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are calling for waves of 1 to 1.5 m in height at times overnight and Thursday during the day. Forecasts are also calling for thunderstorm activity Thursday morning.
Due to high lake levels, there is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County, including along the high bluff areas.
Given the predicted southerly wind direction with speeds over 25 km/hr, flooding is possible along Erie Shore Drive.
Other south-facing shoreline communities along Lake Erie and in Rondeau Bay would also be at some risk. While winds are out of the southeast, communities such as Shrewsbury and Rose Beach Line would be at greater risk, later to be sheltered when winds switch back to the southwest. Residents and workers in shoreline areas should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared.
While communities on Lake St. Clair in the LTVCA jurisdiction will be sheltered from this wind event, heavy rains associated with thunderstorm activity could also cause flooding in low lying shoreline areas on either Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie. Heavy enough rains could cause flooding anywhere in the watershed, but our shoreline communities are particularly vulnerable at this time.
Due to the high lake levels, the groundwater table is high and storm water sewer systems and local watercourses are full with lake water. As a result, rainwater is not draining properly from these areas. Any water from upstream making its way downstream on these watercourses into these shoreline areas could cause additional flooding.
People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline should conditions get rough. The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery. There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water which could be thrown onto the shore. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.
This message will be in effect until July 17, 2020.
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