Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie
• Forecasts calling for moderate to strong southwesterly winds overnight and throughout the day Thursday.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent

Message:

There is a Strong Wind Warning in effect for Western Lake Erie from Environment Canada. Currently, winds are gentle to moderate across the region and generally from the south. Forecasts are predicting that, down on Lake Erie, winds will pick up late this evening or early overnight and switch more southwesterly. Some forecasts suggest sustained wind speeds could climb above 30 km/hr overnight. Then, throughout the day Thursday, depending on the forecast, sustained wind speeds are predicted to be in the 30 to 40 km/hr range. Winds are then predicted to switch more westerly and drop off in the evening. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are calling for waves around 1 to 1.5 m in height during this time period, possibly as high as 2 m on the open lake.

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.

There is also some risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent during this period. The lower end of the predicted wind speeds are in the range where flooding just begins along Erie Shore Drive. If winds stay down in this range, little flooding would be expected. However, the stronger winds predicted are into the range that have previously caused flooding along this road and should the strong winds last for any significant length of time there could be flooding 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.

Currently, winds are not predicted to be from a direction that would cause issues for the Lake St. Clair shoreline in the LTVCA jurisdiction.

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 October 22, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])