ERCA Flood Watch March 6, 2020
The Essex Region Conservation Authority advises that, due to the current elevated lake levels and the forecasted winds, a Flood Watch is in effect until Saturday March 7th, 2020.
The potentially impacted areas include the Lake St. Clair shoreline in the City of Windsor, Town of Tecumseh, and Town of Lakeshore.
Forecasts are showing strong winds primarily out of the north and north-northwest today starting around noon.
Winds have the potential to increase up to approximately 40 km/hr for for the majority of the day on Friday with winds slowing down closer to midnight. Lake levels are currently elevated as compared to 2019 levels at this same time. Preliminary coordinated monthly average lake levels for Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie for the month of February are approximately 390 mm (~ 16 inches) and 290 mm (~ 12 inches) above the coordinated monthly averages from 2019. By comparison, these water levels roughly equate to levels reached back in early May 2019 as we begin to enter our seasonal rise.
People should take extra caution to avoid areas where flooding is occurring as well as rivers, streams, and shoreline areas during significant rainfall and wind/lake events.
The combination of slippery banks, waves, waves overtopping shoreline structures, and fast moving water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children, pets, and livestock should be kept away from flowing or standing water as well as shoreline areas.
Due to elevated lake levels, the Municipality of Leamington should continue to monitor the flood control dykes in the Southeast Leamington Area, including the Mersea Road 1 Dyke and the Marentette Dyke. The City of Windsor should continue to monitor water levels along the flood control dykes within the Little River Drain corridor.
Officials at the Essex Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor conditions and weather forecasts and advise accordingly.
