The Lake Erie shoreline is currently experiencing strong winds of 30-40 km/hr, gusting up to 50-60 km/hr, from the west or southwest. Winds are expected to stay this strong throughout this afternoon and begin to drop overnight.

Those high winds are driving the waves onto our Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County. There is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause shoreline erosion. Flooding has been reported this morning along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent and there is water over the road. In addition to the larger flood prone areas, there could also be localized flooding due to waves crashing against the shoreline protection spraying water up onto the land. Other flood prone areas along Lake Erie should be monitored.

People should be cautious and avoid areas of flooding. Children, pets and livestock should be kept away from the shoreline. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Residents along the high bluff areas are also advised to stay away from the edge of the bluff.

Keeping a close watch on local conditions and updated weather forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada is recommended.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.

This message will be in effect until May 3rd, 2017.

Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected], 519-354-7310 x227) regarding this message.