Flood watch issued for areas along Erie shoreline

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With significant rainfall over the next couple of days, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a flood watch for areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.

Paul Gagnon, land and waters supervisor with the LPRCA, said Wednesday that winds are expected to reach 65 km-h by Thursday evening.

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The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is forecasting lake levels at Port Colborne to rise 1.1 metres above the current level to 175.7 metres and at Long Point to rise 0.5 metres above the current level to 175.2 metres.

Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights up to 1.7 metres in the Port Colborne area and up to 2.5 metres in the Long Point area.

The forecasted lake surge and wave heights are similar to what occurred last Sunday, said Gagnon.

Lake levels are expected to begin rising early Thursday afternoon and peak between 8 p.m. and midnight on Thursday. There may be flooding in low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.

Meantime, the Grand River Conservation Authority is urging the public to be cautious around local waterways.

A low pressure system expected to move across southern Ontario overnight Wednesday, through Thursday and into Friday, is forecast to bring 40 to 50 millimetres of rain to much of the Grand River watershed.

Ground conditions are generally wet following rainfall from last weekend, said GRCA spokesperson Cam Linwood.

While no significant flooding is expected, Linwood said higher flows in local waterways will increase the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. River flows will remain higher than normal through the remainder of the week, increasing the safety risk around rivers and streams.

Upstream reservoirs are at their lowest level at this time of year and will be used to help manage runoff if necessary, said Linwood.

Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard, said Linwood. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses.