Highlights:

• Serious flooding continues on Erie Shore Drive and Chatham-Kent has declared a local state of emergency.
• Erie Shore Drive has been closed to all traffic. Non-emergency related personnel are asked to avoid the area.
• Based on current forecasts, flooding could continue into the early evening period

Message:

The Strong Wind warning for Lake Erie remains in effect. The strong winds that have been causing flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent yesterday and this morning continue. Winds have dropped a bit since this morning but strong south winds between 25 and 30 km/hr are expected to last into the early evening period before switching to the west and dropping beneath 20 km/hr. For the rest of the afternoon we could see wind gusts of up to 45 km/hr and waves on the Lake Erie over 1 m in height.

The high lake levels and strong winds have caused extensive flooding along Erie Shore Drive, perhaps the worst that’s been seen in several years. A large number of homes have been impacted and water has been flowing across the road at depths that cause problems for driving. Chatham-Kent has declared a local state of emergency and residents along the road are being asked to voluntarily evacuate. Official are concerned that the road has been compromised and Erie Shore Drive has been closed to all traffic. Non-emergency related personnel are asked to avoid the area. For information regarding the provision of municipal services and evacuations, please contact the municipality of Chatham-Kent at 519-360-1998.

Short term forecasts are calling for strong winds later in the week as well. Current forecasts suggest winds could exceed 30 km/hr tomorrow afternoon, and again during the Thursday/Friday evening and overnight period. These winds forecasts are similar to those that have been causing the flooding down on Erie Shore Drive.

Again, people are being asked to avoid the area. The waves on the lakes can be strong, and the shoreline and the banks of waterways can be slippery. There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water which could be thrown onto the shoreline. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children especially 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 August 30, 2019.

For road closure and evacuation information please contact the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at 519-360-1998.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected], 519-354-7310 x227)