Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the region and a Gale Warning for western Lake Erie due to predicted high winds overnight.  Weather forecasts are calling for strong winds from the south to southwest this afternoon through tomorrow morning.  Overnight, sustained winds could reach 65 km/hr with gusts up to 80 km/hr.  Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast is predicting wave heights to build from 1 m this afternoon to as high as 3 m overnight.
 
South and southwesterly winds will be driving 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.  Vulnerable areas will likely see localized flooding due to waves crashing against shoreline protection works spraying water up onto the land.  The predicted wind speeds and wave heights exceed those that caused flooding earlier this year along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent.  Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should be prepared. 
 
People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline.  The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery.  There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water.  Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards.  Children, pets and livestock 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 October 9th, 2017.
 
Contact:  Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) regarding this message.