Highlights:

• Strong south and southwest winds overnight and tomorrow morning could cause minor flooding along Erie Shore Drive and shoreline damage all along Lake Erie in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County.

 

Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast has issued a Strong Wind Warning for Western Lake Erie. Weather forecasts are calling for winds exceeding 35 km/hr from the south to southwest overnight and tomorrow morning. Peak winds are expected late overnight or early in the morning that could reach 45 km/hr with gusts of up to 65 km/hr. Waves on Lake Erie are expected to reach 1.5 m in height.

Strong winds will be driving waves onto our Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County overnight and tomorrow morning. There is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause shoreline erosion. Over the last few years, flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent, due to waves crashing against shoreline protection works and spraying water up onto the land, seems to start when sustained wind speeds from a southerly direction (southeast through southwest) reach around 35 km/hour. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should pay attention to weather forecasts and prepare accordingly.

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 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], 519-354-7310 x227) regarding this message.

This message will be in effect until November 1, 2018.