Highlights:

• Gale Warnings for western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair have been issued by Environment Canada.
• Strong gusty winds from the north predicted to continue into the overnight tonight before switching to the south.
• Rainfall Warning remains in effect with an additional 10 – 25 mm of rain in the forecast, and the possibly of higher amounts from thundershowers.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Great Lakes shorelines, including the high bluffs.
• Risk of flooding in Lighthouse Cove continues into the overnight tonight
• Flooding should be expected for Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent overnight through Thursday.

Message:

Environment Canada has issued a Gale Warning for both Western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. There are currently strong northerly winds on Lake St. Clair. Since around midnight last night, Lake St. Clair was seeing sustained wind speeds of around 40 km/hr with gusts up to around 60 km/hr. Over the last couple of hours winds have pick up and forecasts predict winds could rise up to around 55 km/hr with wind gusts over 75 km/hr this evening. Winds are predicted to shift to the south overnight. When the winds shift, they are predicted to remain strong and sustained winds speeds over Lake Erie during the overnight through Thursday are forecast to be in the 45 to 55 km/hr range, with gusts up to 80 km/hr. Winds are then predicted to drop off and switch more westerly Thursday overnight into Friday. Wave forecasts for Lake St. Clair are calling for waves around 1 m for this evening. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are calling for waves around 1.5 m to 2 m for Thursday. The Rainfall Warning issued by Environment Canada remains in effect with an additional 10 to 25 mm of rain in the forecast for this evening and overnight, with the possibility of higher amounts in some areas due to thunderstorms.

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) as well as along the Lake St. Clair shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Lakeshore.

There remains some risk of flooding in the community of Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair this evening into the early overnight period. The peak wind speeds and waves predicted for this evening are around the range where shoreline flooding could be expected in the community. The large amount of rain already received and predicted could also cause localized flooding, ponding and drainage issues in the area.

Some flooding should be expected along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent overnight and Thursday. The lower end of the predicted wind speeds are slightly higher than what was seen on Tuesday, when flooding was just beginning in the area. The higher end of the predicted wind speeds and wave heights could cause more significant flooding in the area should they last for an extended period of time. Additional rain could also contribute to drainage issues in the area. Residents and workers in the area should be prepared for the possibility of flooding. There could also be impacts to other low-lying shoreline areas that have seen flooding over the last few years.

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 September 25, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])