Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning issued for Lake Erie due to strong winds in the forecast overnight and throughout the day Monday.
• Risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding along the Lake Erie shore, including Erie Shore Drive and the high bluff areas.

Message:

A Strong Wind Warning has been issued by Environment Canada due to strong southwesterly winds in the forecast for the overnight period and throughout the day Monday. During the late evening or overnight period, strong winds from the southwest are predicted to rise above 35 km/hr and to remain strong throughout the day Monday. Some forecasts suggest winds could reach 50 km/hr at times and that winds could switch to a southerly direction at times as well. The Marine Forecast suggests waves on Lake Erie could reach 2 to 3 m in height around mid-day on Monday.

Strong winds will be driving waves onto the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County overnight and throughout the day on Monday. 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 Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent as the area will be exposed to direct wind and wave action for most of this period.  Over the last few years flooding tends to start along Erie Shore Drive when winds exceed 30 km/hr from the south.  Whether there will be damage depends on how high the winds get and the direct they are coming from at the time. 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 November 5, 2019.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])