Highlights:

• Flooding is currently occurring in Erieau, and is expected to last all night.
• Other communities around the bay are also being impacted as well.
• As winds shift to the south tomorrow morning, there is a greater risk of flooding for Erie Shore Drive and other communities with south facing shorelines.
• Risk of shoreline erosion along all the Lake Erie shoreline

Message:

The Strong Wind Warning from Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast remains in effect for western Lake Erie. Strong winds from the east have raised static water levels around 10 cm in the Rondeau Bay area. The winds are also producing waves on top of elevated water levels.

There is currently flooding occurring in the communities backing onto Rondeau Bay. The flooding in Erieau already appears worse than that experienced last week. Properties on the bay side are most affected, with water on the properties, around homes and on some of the roads. There are also some properties in Shrewsbury that are affected. Elsewhere around Rondeau Bay, water levels in the ditches and roadside drains are very high and impacting low lying areas.

Strong winds are expected to continue throughout the evening and overnight period, and therefore flooding can be expected to continue throughout the night.

As winds shift to the south, those communities on Lake Erie or the north end of Rondeau Bay are more likely to be impacted; such as Erie Shore Drive and Rondeau Bay Estates. However, the whole Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County will be subject to wave action and there is a risk of damage to shoreline protection works and shoreline erosion.

People should take extra caution and avoid shoreline. 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 shoreline. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and pets should be kept away from the water.

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

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

This message will be in effect until May 10th, 2019