The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has issued a flood watch due to predicted high winds.
Environment Canada said Tuesday that brisk southwest winds, with sustained speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour and gusts to 60 kilometres per hour, were in the forecast through Wednesday afternoon. With that, ERCA added a flood watch to run concurrently to its existing watershed conditions statement.
The flood watch covers the Lake Erie shoreline west of Point Pelee National Park, as well as the south and west shores of Pelee Island.
"Based on the forecasts and the current lake levels, there is a potential for near-shore erosion with waves overtopping breakwalls, splashing and spray," said ERCA Water Resource Manager James Bryant. "Waves overtopping breakwalls have the potential to transport rocks and debris onto adjacent lands. In the area of direct wave attack, there is the potential for breakwall and shoreline structure damage."
Residents in the affected area are asked to avoid areas where any flood is occurring, along with streams, rivers and shoreline areas.
The flood watch runs through 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The watershed conditions statement is also in effect, through November 1.
