Watershed Conditions – Safety Bulletin – Lake Erie Shoreline – April 10, 2019 – 12:45 p.m. – Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

Highlights:

• Sustained wind speeds between 40 and 50 km/hr are expected from the east on Thursday and between 30 and 45 km/hr from the south on Friday. Gust could reach 70 km/hr.
• Waves on Lake Erie could reach 1.5 to 2 m in height.
• Risk of shoreline damage and flooding in vulnerable areas.

Message:

Strong easterly and southerly winds are expected on Lake Erie tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday. Winds from the east are expected to pick up late overnight tonight and sustained wind speeds between 40 and 50 km/hr are expected all day tomorrow and throughout tomorrow evening. Overnight winds are expected to switch to a more southerly direction and sustained wind speeds between 30 and 45 km/hr from the south (starting from the southeast and moving through to the southwest) can be expected all day Friday and throughout Friday 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.

Over the next few days, strong 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 in other areas. In flood prone areas, flooding caused by waves crashing against the shoreline protection works and spraying water up onto the land may occur. Tomorrow while winds are from the east, areas such as Rose Beach Line and the Wheatley area would be at greater risk. On Friday while winds are from the south, Erie Shore Drive would see the greater risk. The high bluff areas of the shoreline will be subject to wave action for the entire two day period. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should pay attention to local conditions and prepare accordingly.

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 shoreline. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and pets should be kept away from the water. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.

Contact: Jason Homewood (519-354-7310 x225) regarding this message.

This message will be in effect until April 10th, 2019.