Strong winds in the forecast have prompted conservation officials to issue a flood watch for the western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) issued the watch Tuesday morning for Erie Shore Drive and Lighthouse Cove. Peak winds gusts of up to 60 km an hour are expected Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.
"The timing of the highest winds varies significantly by forecast because they are associated with a potential thunderstorm system but all are in agreement that at some point this afternoon or this evening, strong sustained winds from the southwest will climb above 30 km/h," the LTVCA said in a news release.
During this period, waves of up to one metre in height are expected on Lake Erie and up to a half metre in height on Lake St. Clair.
This comes as Erie Shore Drive remains under a state of emergency from a flooding event on August 27. Although waves are not forecasted to be as high as they were last week, the LTVCA is reminding residents in the area that conditions can change rapidly.
"A large number of properties along Erie Shore Drive were impacted last week," the release said. "This makes the Erie Shore Drive particularly vulnerable to further flood damages as there hasn’t been time to make repairs."
Winds are expected to shift to the northwest on Wednesday morning when the risk will be highest for residents in the Lighthouse Cove area.
The Conservation Authority reminds people in these areas to use extra caution and avoid the shoreline. Updates will be provided as necessary.