Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair
• Along Erie Shore Drive on Lake Erie, there is a strong risk of significant flooding overnight tonight and Monday
• Risk of flooding and shoreline damage on Lake St. Clair around Lighthouse Cove and Chatham-Kent in the afternoon Monday.

Message:

The Strong Wind Warning issued by Environment Canada remains in effect for both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. As we get closer to Monday’s wind event, the wind speed forecasts have been downgraded leading up to the event and extended later into the day on Monday. Southwest winds are now predicted to rise above 30 km/hr late this evening or during the early overnight period. Winds are still predicted to be very strong Monday morning, possibly reaching wind speeds of 45 km/hr with gusts of up to 70 km/hr. Winds are then predicted to remain strong throughout the day Monday, shifting to a northwest direction and possibly not falling below 30 km/hr until later in the evening. Forecasts suggest wave heights on Lake Erie could reach up to 2 m in height by Monday morning.

Strong winds will be driving waves onto the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County until winds switch directions sometime on Monday. There is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion, including along the high bluff areas. Low lying areas and communities are also at risk of flooding. If wind speeds haven’t dropped by the time winds switch to the northwest, there could also be impacts along the Lake St. Clair shoreline around Lighthouse Cove and in Chatham-Kent.

The area likely to be impacted to the greatest extent is the Erie Shore Drive area in Chatham-Kent. The winds that caused severe flooding and shoreline damage and triggered a State of Emergency for Erie Shore Drive on August 27th, had peaked at speeds of around 35 km/hr. Forecasts suggest those speeds will be reached overnight tonight and exceeded by a significant amount Monday morning. Residents and emergency responders should be prepared. For information regarding the provision of municipal services, road closures and potential evacuations, please contact the municipality of Chatham-Kent at 519-360-1998.

People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline. The waves on the lakes can be strong and the shoreline 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 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 September 24, 2019.

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