Date: 9:00 A.M., Thursday, November 12, 2015

Issued to: Municipal Flood Coordinators of Municipalities, Media

Issued by: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement due to the strong winds currently being observed and predicted to last through Friday.  Sustained winds of 45 km/hr are currently being observed with gusts up to 60 km/hr.  Winds are predicted to peak this afternoon with sustained winds of 60 km/hr and gusts possibly exceeding 90 k/hr.  No significant rainfall is expected with this wind storm.

The high winds are predicted to be dominantly from the southwest.  Those high winds will be driving the 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.  There could also be localized flooding due to waves crashing against the shoreline protection spraying water up onto the land.  Water has already been observed accumulating on some properties along Erie Shore Drive just west of Erieau, Chatham-Kent.  The road into Erieau is also wet from spray.

People should be caution and avoid areas of flooding.  Children, pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.  Slippery and muddy banks can also be hazardous.  Residents along the high bluff areas are advised to stay away from the edge of the bluff.

Keeping a close watch on local conditions and updated weather forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada is recommended.

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

This message will be in effect until November 14th, 2015.

Contact:  Jason Wintermute ([email protected], 519-354-7310 x227) regarding this message.