Highlights:

• Forecasts are calling for 15-35 mm of rain tomorrow which would raise water levels on local watercourses but not cause significant flooding.
• Tomorrow’s forecasts for Lake Erie are very similar to what was experienced on Thursday.
• Sustained wind speeds between 40 and 50 km/hr from the northeast and east are expected on Lake Erie tomorrow and waves could reach 1.5 to 2 m in height.
• There is a risk of shoreline damage along the entire shoreline as well as flooding along Rondeau Bay, Erieau and Erie Shore Drive.

Message:

A weather system is expected to pass through tomorrow (Sunday) bringing winds and 15 to 35 mm of rain. Strong northeasterly and easterly winds are expected on Lake Erie tomorrow during the day. Winds from the northeast are expected to pick up tomorrow morning reaching sustained speeds between 40 and 50 km/hr during the late morning and early afternoon. Winds are expected to have switched to the east and lessened by the evening. Wind gust during this period could reach 70 km/hr. Waves on Lake Erie are predicted to reach 1.5 to 2 m in height.

Local watercourses are expected to rise with the predicted rainfall and some watercourses may approach bank full conditions. Significant flooding is not expected but areas of poor drainage may see ponding or localized flooding.

Wind, wave and water level forecasts for Lake Erie are calling for conditions very similar to those observed on Thursday. That event produced high water in Rondeau Bay, minor flooding in Erieau and along Erie Shore Drive, and impacted other areas of the shoreline throughout Chatham-Kent and Elgin County. Once again, there is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause shoreline erosion. In flood prone areas, flooding caused by waves crashing against the shoreline protection works and spraying water up onto the land may occur. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should pay attention to local conditions and prepare accordingly.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, streams and shorelines. On our local watercourses, the combination of slippery banks and fast moving water can be dangerous. Along the shoreline, waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery. There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water which could be thrown up onto the shoreline. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.

Contact: Jason Wintermute (jason.wintermute@ltvca.ca) regarding this message.

This message will be in effect until April 15th, 2019.