The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch for the shores of Lake Erie.
LTVCA officials say Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast has issued a Gale Warning for western Lake Erie due to predicted high winds early tomorrow morning through Tuesday morning.
“During this period sustained winds over 35 km/hr are expected, peaking tomorrow afternoon somewhere between 40 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 exceed 75 km/hr. The Marine Forecast is predicting wave heights of 2 to 3 m tomorrow morning, building to 3 to 4 m in the afternoon. Winds during this period are being generally described as being out of the west, however, some forecasts are predicting periods where the wind will be coming out the west-southwest or even the southwest.”
Wintermute said should the winds remain firmly out of the west, the winds will be generally offshore or alongshore throughout the region with lessened impacts on the shoreline.
“Should the winds shift more southerly, this would produce onshore winds and waves for certain areas with the potential risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause shoreline erosion,” he said.
“Vulnerable areas could see localized flooding due to waves crashing against shoreline protection works spraying water up onto the land. 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. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should be prepared.”
People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline, Wintermute said.
“The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery,” he 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 their advisory if necessary.
Their message will be in effect until November 1.
