With wind gusts up to 70 kilometres per hour in the forecast, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) is keeping an eye on the Lake Erie shoreline.
Sunday morning the LTVCA issued a safety bulletin following the predictions of strong winds forecasted to start Sunday night. The wind is expected to remain on and off until Thursday reaching a maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour with gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour. Waves on Lake Erie are forecasted to reach 2 metres in height and will pose a flood risk for Chatham-Kent and Elgin County.
Throughout this entire period, there is a risk that wave action could cause shoreline erosion. In flood-prone areas, there is a risk of flooding caused by waves crashing against the shoreline protection works.
With the temperatures going below zero overnight, freezing spray from shorelines increases the risk of slippery and hazardous conditions on roadways.
Officials say residents should pay close attention to weather conditions and avoid the shoreline. Strong waves can cause slippery conditions and dangerous debris to wash onto shorelines.
The conservation authority is also reminding people that standing water can present unseen hazards as well.
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update the statement accordingly.