Highlights:

• Based on weather forecasts, flooding along Erie Shore Drive is expected again this afternoon and this evening, similar to what occurred yesterday morning.
• Erie Shore Drive has been closed to all traffic. Non-emergency related personnel are asked to avoid the area.
• Longer range forecasts still suggest the potential for further flooding Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.
• Other areas along the Lake Erie shoreline with south facings, including the high bluff areas, are also at risk of shoreline damage.

Message:

Weather Forecasts calling for strong winds this afternoon have not changed. The Strong Wind warning for Lake Erie remains in effect. Yesterday afternoon, winds had subsided and switched to the west. However, for this afternoon, winds are still forecasted to switch back to the southwest and climb above 30 km/hr. Forecasts suggest winds could peak at over 35 km/hr in the late afternoon or early evening within gusts of up to 55 km/hr. Marine forecasts suggest waves on Lake Erie could reach 1.5 m in height again this afternoon. In addition, longer range forecasts are still suggesting sustained southwest winds over 30 km/hr Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.

The winds forecasted for this afternoon are similar to those that caused extensive flooding along Erie Shore Drive yesterday morning, although from a slightly different direction. Flooding along Erie Shore Drive is anticipated again this afternoon and this evening. A large number of homes along Erie Shore Drive have been impacted, many stretches of shoreline protection were damaged and even the roadway itself has been damaged. This makes the Erie Shore Drive particularly vulnerable to further flood damages as there hasn’t been time to make repairs. Residents and emergency responders should be prepared as flood conditions could be similar to what was experienced yesterday morning.

The local state of emergency and voluntary evacuation remains in effect. Official are concerned that the road has been compromised and Erie Shore Drive has been closed to all traffic. Non-emergency related personnel are asked to avoid the area. For information regarding the provision of municipal services and evacuations, please contact the municipality of Chatham-Kent at 519-360-1998.

Other areas along the Lake Erie shoreline are also at a higher risk for shoreline damage, erosion and flooding in low lying properties due to the strong southwest winds.

Again, people are being asked to avoid the Erie Shore Drive area. The waves on the lakes can be strong, and the shoreline and the banks of waterways can be 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 especially should be kept away from the water.

This message will be in effect until August 30, 2019.

For road closure and evacuation information please contact the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at 519-360-1998.

Message Contact: LTVCA Administration (519-354-7310) or Jason Wintermute ([email protected])