Chatham-Kent Works Public Department staff are completing a number of measures designed to mitigate recent flooding caused by high winds along Erie Shore Drive.
Meanwhile, another flood watch has been issued by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA).
Tim Dick, Director of Drainage, Asset and Waste Management for the municipality, said in a press release that the work involves directing the water to particular areas along the roadway to enable it to drain more safely and quickly.
Municipal officials say more than 100 concrete blocks have been placed along the road to direct water to control points of safe entry leading to the Burke Drain. As well, stone erosion protection on the Burke Drain on the north side of the road was installed to prevent the flows from eroding the top of the slope and to maintain the bank and roadway.
A thickness of asphalt has been milled (ground off) to direct water from the south side of the road in conjunction with the other features mentioned above.
Dick said the work was to be completed Tuesday.
“Obviously we can’t control the lake level or the wind but this work will help the water that accumulates to drain away,” he said.
LTVCA officials say Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast has issued a Gale Warning for western Lake Erie due to predicted high winds overnight on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
“During this period, sustained winds over 35 km/hr from the southwest are expected, peaking overnight somewhere between 45 and 65 km/hr depending on the forecaster,” stated Jason Wintermute, water management supervisor with the LTVCA, in a press release.
“Wind gusts are predicted to reach 80 km/hr. The Marine Forecast is predicting wave heights to build to 3m by (Thursday) morning. This high wind event coincides with a rainfall event that is predicted to drop 10 to 15 mm of rain.”
Wintermute said a milder event is predicted for later on Thursday during the late evening and early overnight.
“During this period winds are expected to range from 35 to 45 km/hr from the southwest with gusts up to 65 km/hr,” Wintermute said.
“Southwesterly 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. Vulnerable areas will likely see localized flooding due to waves crashing against shoreline protection works spraying water up onto the land.”
Wintermute said any such flooding would be aggravated by the associated rainfall being predicted.
“The predicted wind speeds and wave heights are similar to, or exceed, those that caused flooding earlier this year along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent,” he said.
“Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should be prepared.”
He said people should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline.
“The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery,” Wintermute said.
“There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children, pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.”
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.
The LTVCA flood watch will be in effect until November 3.
– Photo credit: LTVCA
