Some people in Windsor-Essex may head into the Christmas holiday dealing with high winds and possible flooding.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has issued a flood watch for the Lake Erie shoreline from Amherstburg to Leamington, for Pelee Island, and for islands within the western basin of Lake Erie.
Environment Canada says winds from the south may reach 40 to 50 kilometres per hour later Wednesday afternoon, with gusts of 60 kilometres per hour possible. The winds are expected to continue through Wednesday night, then taper off and shift to a south-southwest direction Thursday afternoon.
The potential for strong winds has increased the chances of near-shore erosion along the Lake Erie shoreline, along with wave splashing and spray.
"Should the wind remain strong and shift to the south-southwest direction, specific areas of concern would then be primarily the western shoreline of Pelee Island, and the Lake Erie shoreline in the municipality of Leamington, west of Point Pelee National Park." said ERCA's interim water management services director James Bryant.
Windsor-Essex communities are being asked to monitor water conditions, and residents are urged to stay away from areas that are susceptible to flooding.
The flood watch is in effect until at least 4 p.m. Thursday.
