The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is reporting shoreline flooding is possible this weekend on Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and the Thames River because of strong wind.
The LTVCA said high winds are expected to start overnight into Friday and continue until early Saturday morning. Jason Wintermute of the LTVCA said the eastern Lake St. Clair shoreline and Lighthouse Cove are at some risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding.
"Lake St. Clair has lost most of its ice that had been protecting the shoreline in the LTVCA over the last few weeks," Wintermute said.
The conservation authority said shoreline residents and workers on Erie Shore Drive and residents of Lighthouse Cove should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared.
"Forecasts suggest waves of one to two metres in height could be expected on Lake Erie and 1 metre on Lake St. Clair," he added.
A sidewalk in downtown Chatham along the Thames River has also flooded because of rain, melted snow, and record high water levels on Lake St. Clair. Conservation officials said the water will rise some more and the sidewalk should be expected to remain flooded over the weekend.
Chatham-Kent Council will also hold a special public information meeting on Friday at 5 p.m. to provide an update on the state of emergency along Erie Shore Drive. The 30-minute meeting will be held in council chambers at the Civic Centre, 315 King St. W in Chatham and will include a brief project update outlining timelines, changes and challenges faced during the first week of Phase One construction. Council will then adjourn to closed session for legal advice and other discussions. There will be no deputations at the meeting and no decisions will be made.
Because of COVID-19 concerns, residents are urged to watch the meeting at https://www.facebook.com/yourtvck/ and at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ rather than attending the council meeting.
The agenda for the special meeting can be found on the municipal website by clicking here.