Erie Shore Drive was closed just before noon today from the Bisnett Line to Erieau Road due to flooding caused by strong winds and the high water level of Lake Erie.
Tim Dick, director of Director, Drainage, Asset and Waste Management for Chatham-Kent, said about 20 homes in the 18,000 section of Erie Shore Drive are effected by the closure.
Forty kilometre winds from the southwest forced water onto properties and across the roadway earlier this morning. No residents have been asked to evacuate.
Dick said clay berms have been placed along the south side of the roadway to divert water into specific areas to allow it to flow into municipal drain north of the roadway.
Municipal employees are monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis. Current weather forecasts indicate a change in wind direction which is expected to ease the flooding.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area while the closure is in effect.
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority officials say southerly winds are driving waves onto the 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,” LTVCA officials stated.
A flood watch was issued by the LTVCA.
“The flooding along Erie Shore Drive is being caused by waves crashing against the shoreline protection spraying water up onto the land. The same effect could occur along other areas of the Lake Erie Shoreline causing localized flooding. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should be prepared.”
LTVCA officials say weather forecasts and local weather gauges suggest that the Lake Erie shoreline in the Lower Thames is currently experiencing sustained winds of 30 to 40 km/hr from the southwest with gusts up to 55 km/hr.
“Weather forecasts suggest that the winds can be expected to stay like this throughout the afternoon until they being to diminish late this evening and overnight. Winds are expected to increase Friday morning again to speeds only slightly below what they are now. Environment Canada’s Marine Forecasts are predicting wave heights on Lake Erie to be around 1m, diminishing to 0.5m overnight. Water levels at Erieau are approximately 20cm below the record high monthly averages of 1986, similar to where they’ve been for the last few months.”
Residents should pay attention to weather forecasts and predicted winds over the next few days, LTVCA officials say.
“People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline. The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery. 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 provide updates as necessary.
– Photo credit: LTVCA
