Heavy rain and strong winds in the forecast have prompted a pair of flood watches for Chatham-Kent.
On Friday morning, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) issued a flood watch for parts of the Thames River watershed, as well as the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines.
According to the LTVCA, strong winds are expected to start Friday night, with gusts reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour by Saturday afternoon.
"Winds are then predicted to begin dropping off, but could remain strong into the overnight period," the LTVCA said. "After a little break in the winds overnight, forecasts are predicting another period of strong southwest winds between 35 and 45 kilometres per hour from Sunday evening through Monday morning."
There is also a special weather statement in effect for the region, with up to 45 millimetres of rain expected to fall from Friday night through Saturday.
Due to high lake levels, there is a risk that wave action during this event could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion all along the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines.
The LTVCA also said there is a high risk of significant flooding along Erie Shore Drive and the Lighthouse Cove area during this time.
Meanwhile, conservation officials said there is a risk of ponding and localized flooding along the Thames River watershed, especially in low-lying areas. This could also result in smaller watercourses rising and spilling over their banks.
According to the LTVCA, the Thames River is already higher than usual for this time of year due to recent rainfall.
"Due to current conditions and the forecast rainfall amounts, flooding of the low-lying river flats adjacent to the Thames River from Delaware down to Thamesville should be expected," officials said. "In the City of Chatham, the sidewalk along the river in the downtown would be expected to flood over. Water levels would be expected to peak in upstream areas around Delaware on Sunday and work their way downstream over the next few days."
Residents are advised to check their properties for potential drainages issues and to clear catch basins and storm sewer inlets of leaves and other debris in order to help reduce localized flooding.
