A resident living near the Hillman Marsh in Leamington wonders what will be done about flooding in their area.
Cotterie Park Road resident John Simpson said water from Lake Erie has overrun the marsh, creating a small lake near homes.
"Well the Lake and Hillman Marsh are now one," said Simpson.
On Thursday, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) downgraded a flood warning to a flood watch covering the shoreline of Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair. Water levels are high and with strong winds and more rain in the forecast, the risk of flooding is still elevated. The watch is in effect until Monday night.
"It's not holding back. Lake Erie is coming through; people have to realize," he said. "The impact of the weather will change that area. It's huge."
He fears the water will reach homes nearby and wonders why the Town of Leamington is not making sand and sandbags available to residents, as they have in both Windsor and Lakeshore.
An official with the Municipality of Leamington responded sandbags will not be made available to residents after an inquiry from BlackburnNews.com.
ERCA said the southern portions of the Marentette Beach Road dike that provides protection for the inland Marentette dike has sustained damage from recent storm events this spring. Due to the damage sustained to the outer layer of protection, the interior corner of the Marentette dike is more exposed to direct wave impact from Lake Erie, increasing its susceptibility to erosion and risk of flooding.
"The Municipality [of Leamington] is actively working to assess the damage and coordinate corrective actions to restore an appropriate level of protection," said ERCA.
Last week, the director of watershed management with the authority warned residents the area is not sustainable and urged them to leave the area for good.
“It’s the entire eastern shore of Leamington,” said Byrne. “It’s from Wheatley to Point Pelee National Park — all of those communities north of Hillman Marsh sustained damages and flooding.
Byrne listed Allendale, Marentette Beach, East Beach, Lakeshore Road and Cotterie Park Road as areas of concern.
-With files from Adelle Loiselle.