With thunderstorms expected to continue into Saturday, conservation officials are warning residents who live near lake shorelines to prepare for possible flooding.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) has issued a flood watch for communities along the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines.
Given the fact that lake levels are already high, conservation officials said thunderstorms pose a risk for flooding. Wind speeds are expected to range on Saturday from gentle to strong, however, there is some uncertainty as to the transition of wind direction.
The LTVCA said in a news release that there may be flooding along Erie Shore Drive and for the Rondeau Bay communities of Erieau and Shrewsbury.
Should winds change to a northerly or westerly direction on Lake St. Clair, flooding will also become a risk for the community of Lighthouse Cove.
Meanwhile, The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) has also issued a flood watch for areas such as Wallaceburg.
"Residents along the Lake St. Clair shoreline may experience increased wave action with the potential for erosion, and quickly rising and falling water levels due to the wind," read a release from the SCRCA. "Minor flooding is possible in natural floodplain areas."
Residents in the area of Brights Grove may also experience some flooding this weekend as winds gust up to 55 kilometres per hour on Lake Huron. Winds are not expected to subside until Saturday night.
Conservation officials are reminding residents and those who work near shorelines to monitor conditions and be careful around slippery banks.
The flood watches issued by both conservation authorities will remain in effect until July 12.