Long Point Region Conservation Authority Issues A Flood Watch

Sunday, 12 January 2020 09:10

A flood watch has gone into effect for the Lake Erie shoreline and the Big Otter Creek watershed.

TILLSONBURG - The Long Point Region Conservation Authority has issued a flood watch, which goes into effect immediately.

The Town of Tillsonburg is included in the areas that are affected, as well as the Lake Erie shoreline and the Big Otter Creek watershed

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for tomorrow morning, seeing strong wind gusts of up to 100
km an hour. They're expected to ease by around mid-day.

The strongest winds are expected across Lake Erie and along the shoreline.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Lake Erie to rise on the lakeward
side of Long Point by 0.3 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.02 meters (IGLD 1985), and in the
Port Colborne area 0.9 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.6 meters (IGLD 1985).

Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights of up to 2 meters in the Long Point area. However, the NOAA’s forecast is currently calling for approximately 0.3-0.4 m higher levels at these locations.

With the uncertainty in the height of the Lake Erie, there is the possibility of minor to potentially significant
impacts along low-lying areas of the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries, resulting in flooding,
wave uprush and increased shoreline erosion.

If the event climbs to the higher range of the current forecasts, there may be similar impacts to the events seen on October 27th and November 27th of last fall.

In land, so far approximately 25-55 mm of rain have fallen locally, with higher amounts in the northern and western portions of the LPRCA.

Nuisance flooding is expected in low lying and poorly drained areas.

Big Otter Creek is noted to be rising quickly and may cause some minor flooding, specifically in Tillsonburg.

Community flood coordinators are advised to prepare and monitor forecasts and stand by for further information.

People are urged to use caution or stay away from watercourses as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fastflowing water is dangerous; and also from Lake Erie shoreline areas are experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels.

Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.

LPRCA staff will continue to monitor forecasted conditions and will update this message as necessary.