ERCA issues flood watch for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines
The Essex Region Conservation Authority is issuing a flood watch for portions of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines.
ERCA said due to strong winds and already elevated lake levels, a possibility of flooding, shoreline erosion and damaging waves could exist.
Areas that could be impacted the hardest along the Lake Erie shoreline are the north and east sides of Pelee Island and the southwest shoreline in Leamington between Wheatley Harbour and Point Pelee.
Potential areas along the shoreline of Lake St. Clair are the western portions of Lakeshore, Tecumseh and eastern portions of Windsor.
ERCA is forecasting wind speeds of 20 to 30 km/h and the potential for wind gusts reaching 50 km/h continuing today into Monday morning.
"People should take extra caution and avoid shoreline areas during wind/lake wave events," said ERCA in a statement.
ERCA said the combination of slippery banks, waves, debris and fast moving water can be dangerous.
Children, pets and livestock should be kept away from the flowing water, standing water and shoreline areas.