Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast has issued a Strong Wind Warning for western Lake Erie due to predicted high winds late tomorrow morning through tomorrow evening. Weather forecasts are calling for strong, sustained winds between 35 and 45 km/hr from the southwest, gusting to 65 km/hr. The Marine Forecast is predicting wave heights to build to 2 m by around noon tomorrow.

While these predicted winds and waves are not as severe as those predicted over the last few weekends, they are similar to those that caused flooding earlier this year (for example in August and September) along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent.

Southwesterly winds will be driving waves onto our 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. Vulnerable areas will likely see localized flooding due to waves crashing against shoreline protection works spraying water up onto the land. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should be prepared.

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 update this advisory if necessary.

This message will be in effect until October 18th, 2017.

Contact: Jason Wintermute (519-354-7310 x227, jason.wintermute@ltvca.ca) regarding this message.