Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Lake Erie.
• Risk of erosion, shoreline damage and flooding overnight tonight through tomorrow night
• Potential for flooding throughout the region similar to what occurred last week or earlier this week.

Message:

A Strong Wind Warning has been issued by Environment Canada due to strong winds in the forecast for Lake Erie. Winds from the east or northeast will pick up strength overnight tonight. Winds are expected to reach speeds of 30 to 40 km/hr with gusts up to 60 km/hr and to stay like that all day Sunday and through the evening period. Weather forecasts are also calling for the potential of 5 to 15 mm of rain on Sunday.

The sustained winds will raise water levels in the western basin of Lake Erie and could raise lake levels in the Rondeau Bay area an additional 10 cm. Waves on the lake are expected to reach over 1m in height and could reach 2 m in height.

Strong 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.

With Lake Erie water levels being so high, any flooding that may occur is highly dependent on the winds and resulting wave action. Based on the forecasts, some flooding would be expected in the Rondeau Bay area. If the forecasts of higher winds are correct, there could be flooding on the bay side of Erieau similar to what was experienced earlier this week. There could also be similar flooding in other communities around Rondeau Bay such as Shrewsbury, Rondeau Bay Estates, and Erie Shore Drive, as well as in flood prone areas further west around Wheatley. Any rains that appears will just add to the issue of standing water and could cause even higher water levels on those ditches, creeks and streams in the area already high due to lake levels. The high bluff areas of the shoreline will be subject to wave action for the entire period. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should pay attention to local conditions and prepare accordingly.

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 which could be thrown onto the shoreline. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and pets should be kept away from the water.

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

Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) regarding this message.

This message will be in effect until May 13th, 2019