A Flood Watch, issued earlier today by the Essex Regiona Conservation Authority (ERCA), continues across Windsor-Essex. ERCA says due to elevated lake levels and gusting winds, there is the possibility of flooding, and damaging waves could cause shoreline erosion along Lake Erie.
The area most affected is Leamington between the Wheatley Harbour and Point Pelee and the town should also monitor dykes in the southeast area.
ERCA says higher water levels along the Detroit River may also cause flooding in east Windsor, Tecumseh and Lakeshore. Tim Byrne says these are the highest lake levels since the late 1990s.
He says the current wind has the greatest effect.
"Northeast winds are the worst wind condition we can experience because it has the impact and effect of driving Lake Erie in a reverse flow up into the Detroit River," says Byrne. "It stalls the flow coming out of the Detroit River and artificially elevating lake levels in the entire region."
Byrne says the damage will develop over a longer period than a week ago.
"The impacts will be more insidious less instantaneous," he says. "You've got constant waves bearing against breakwalls that have already been tested or that are deteriorated and or dykes that require maintenance if you have that wave bearing against it constantly over a longer duration you will have the same ultimate impact."
Byrne says canoes or other boats that have been pulled up on shore may also wash away if they aren't secured.
People should take extra caution and avoid shoreline areas and be reminded that waves overtopping breakwalls/shorelines can be extremely dangerous.