Highlights:

• A Gale Warning for western Lake Erie and a Strong Wind Warning for Lake St. Clair have been issued by Environment Canada.
• Strong gusty winds from the south could continue into the overnight tonight before switching to the north for Wednesday.
• Rainfall Warning calling for rain Tuesday evening until Thursday morning that could total 50 to 60 mm, with possibly higher amounts from thunderstorms.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Risk of low-level flooding continues for Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent into the overnight tonight
• Some risk flooding in Lighthouse Cove overnight tonight into Wednesday overnight.

Message:

Environment Canada has issued a Gale Warning for Western Lake Erie and a Strong Wind Warning for Lake St. Clair. There are currently, strong southerly winds on Lake Erie. Forecasts are predicting that these winds could continue into the overnight period before switching to the north. When winds switch to the north overnight, forecasts suggest that winds on Lake St. Clair will have eased off a bit. But forecasts predict that winds will rise throughout the day and sustained wind speeds could peak Wednesday evening between 45 and 55 km/hr, with gusts up to 75 km/hr. Winds would then switch back to the south Wednesday overnight into Thursday. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are generally calling for waves around 1 m to 1.5 m in nearshore areas, with waves up to 2 m offshore on Wednesday. Wave forecasts for Lake St. Clair are calling for waves around 0.5 m, building to around 1 m on Wednesday. There has also been a Rainfall Warning issued by Environment Canada suggesting 50 to 60 mm of total rain from Tuesday evening until Thursday morning, 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.

Earlier today, down on Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent, water was observed coming over the shoreline protections on some properties, either by means of wave overtopping or wave spray. While this was producing some ponding and drainage issues, significant amounts of water had not accumulated and water was not on the roadway. Given forecasts, there is a risk that these conditions could continue into the overnight period until the winds switch to the north. The large amount of rain predicted could also cause localized flooding, ponding and drainage issues in the area.

There is also some risk of flooding in the community of Lighthouse Cove on Lake St. Clair from overnight tonight into Wednesday overnight. While forecasts suggest that winds will ease off a bit when they switch to the north overnight tonight, they are then predicted to start rising again. The peak winds speeds predicted for Wednesday evening are around the range where shoreline flooding would be expected to just begin in the community. The north winds are also predicted to raise water levels in the community and its canal system by 20 to 30 cm. The large amount of rain predicted could also cause localized flooding, ponding and drainage issues in the area.

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 24, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])