Highlights:
• Strong Wind Warning has been issued for Lake Erie due to strong northeast winds this evening into tomorrow morning.
• Risk of shoreline damage, erosion and flooding along the Lake Erie shore, including the high bluff areas.

A Strong Wind Warning has been issued by Environment Canada due to strong northeast winds predicted for this evening, lasting overnight and into tomorrow morning. Wind speeds are forecasted to climb above 30 km/hr during the evening period and could reach speeds of 40 km/hr overnight with gusts up to 60 km/hr. Tomorrow morning (Thursday), winds are expected to drop and switch through the southeast and finally to the northwest late in the day. Forecasts suggest wave heights on Lake Erie could reach up to 2 m in height overnight. In addition to the winds, forecasts also suggest there could be 15 to 30 mm of rain during this period.

Strong winds will be driving waves onto the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County throughout the evening and into tomorrow morning (Thursday). There is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion, all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including along the high bluff areas. Low lying areas could also experience flooding. The area most likely to be impacted is the Rose Beach Line area as it will be exposed to direct wind and wave action for most of this period. The Erie Shore Drive area will be mostly sheltered during this wind event, however, there some risk that the area could be impacted should the winds not drop before switching to the southeast as predicted. The rains in the forecast could aggravate the situation. Due to the high lake levels, rainwater is not draining properly from low lying shoreline areas. Residents should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared.

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 4, 2019.

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