Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie
• Forecasts calling for strong southwest winds Saturday afternoon into the overnight period.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent Saturday and early on Sunday

Message:

There is a Strong Wind Warning in effect for Western Lake Erie. Forecasts are predicting that southwest winds will rise overnight and sustained wind speeds could exceed 30 km/hr overnight. Winds are predicted to continue rising on Saturday and sustained wind speeds could exceed 35 km/hr Saturday afternoon and peak around 40 km/hr or slightly higher Saturday evening. Winds are then predicted to drop off Sunday morning. Wave forecasts are generally calling for waves around 1 m in height during the day Saturday and around 1.5 m during the evening or overnight into Sunday.

Due to high lake levels, there is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County, including along the high bluff areas.

There is also a risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent Saturday and early on Sunday. The most likely times for flooding are currently predicted to be Saturday evening and overnight into Sunday. The lower end of the predicted wind speeds are in the range where flooding just begins along Erie Shore Drive. If winds stay down in this range, little flooding would be expected. However, the upper end of the predicted wind speeds are into the range that have previously caused flooding along this road and should the strong winds last for any significant length of time there could be flooding in the area. Residents and workers in the area should be prepared for the possibility of flooding. There could also be impacts to other low-lying shoreline areas that have seen flooding over the last few years.

Currently, winds are not predicted be from a direction to cause issues for the Lake St. Clair shoreline in the LTVCA jurisdiction.

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 September 12, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute (jason.wintermute@ltvca.ca)