Despite water in front yards and waves going over houses, some homeowners along Erie Shore Drive feel like they've dodged a bullet.
On Tuesday, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) issued a flood warning for Erie Shore Drive because of strong winds lasting all day Wednesday into the evening period. Forecasts were calling for sustained wind speeds of over 65 km/h.
Wednesday brought some rough conditions to the area, however, according to Jason Homewood with the LTVCA, things didn't get as bad they were bracing for.
"On a scale from zero to 10, 10 being the worst, zero being not too bad, it's probably a three," said Homewood.
In the Erieau area, wind speeds fluctuated around the 45 km/h mark throughout Wednesday morning and afternoon. Around 4 p.m., waves could be seen splashing over the roofs of homes and cottages along the roadway and multiple residences had several inches of water on their property.
However, compared to previous flooding events, including a state of emergency declared in August where 30 residences were voluntarily evacuated, Homewood said many residents on Wednesday are considering themselves lucky.
"There was a lot more water earlier in the day. It started to drain as the winds shifted to the west. Things are looking better," Homewood said. "Most of the residents that I talked to are happy and feel like they dodged a bullet."
During August's state of emergency, Erie Shire Drive remained closed for several days. As of Wednesday evening, the roadway remains open.
"You'll see debris on the road and you can tell water's been going over the road. But for most people out here, this hasn't been a real event," said Homewood.
According to Environment Canada, wind speeds in Chatham-Kent are forecasted to slowly decrease throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.
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