The public invited to a series of meetings about high water levels and flooding that has persisted all summer across the region.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority will co-host the four meetings for residents who live along the shoreline or in low-lying, flood-prone areas.
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The first one is Monday, August 12 from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Atlas Tube Centre. The next night, it will be at the WFCU Centre in Windsor inside the Collavino Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The third is Wednesday, August 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle and the final one is August 15 at Lakeside Park in Kingsville from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Forecasts predict high water levels on Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair will persist. Water levels in Lake St. Clair have surpassed the previous record set in 1986 and are expected to rise another inch or two before the end of August. The potential for intense rainfall heightens concerns.
Flooding is seen on Front Road in LaSalle on July 8, 2019. Photo courtesy of Town of LaSalle.
"We have been in a constant state of lake flood warnings this year. Our partners in Leamington, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Lakeshore, Essex, and Kingsville have been experiencing flooding of roads and municipal parks. This is no longer a case of 'if', but 'when' for Tecumseh," said Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara. "We are doing everything possible to protect our municipal infrastructure and share in the responsibility to help our residents prepare."
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Tecumseh town staff are also adding information for residents and property owners to its webpage informing them of what they can do in the event of a flood, including measures for evacuation.
The Town of Tecumseh has put together a working group consisting of officials from the town, ERCA, Essex Power, Enbridge, Tecumseh Fire and Rescue Services, Ontario Provincial Police, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. It will develop an action plan to deal with lake flooding, and held its inaugural meeting this past week.