Flood Watch

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline. This message is intended to raise attention to the current high static water levels of Lake Erie and the potential for further flooding.

Within the LPRCA watershed the Lake Erie static water level (calm) is approximately 175.0 m and has been continuing to rise as a result of heavy rain, mild temperatures and snow melt within the Great Lakes system. Static water levels in Long Point and Turkey Point are causing flooding on roads and property without any wind setup. Typically, flooding along the shoreline results from strong and sustained south-west winds. However, over the past few weeks, winds from the north, north-east and north-west have caused flooding.

The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum from May 6th, 2019 reports that:

• Lake Erie has exceeded record highs as of the beginning of May. The level was 3 cm above the record‐high beginning‐of‐May level set in 1985.
• Lake Erie’s level was 60 cm above average, the 6th highest April mean level on record and the highest since 1998.
• Lake Erie rose 24 cm last month, more than the typical April rise of 13 cm.

The extremely high static lake level is greatly increasing the risk of flooding with relatively mild winds from any direction.

Heightened risks from flooding while water levels remain above the threshold, include additional shoreline flooding, beach submersion, crawl space and septic system inundation, and wave-driven erosion along shoreline.

Community flood coordinators and the public are advised to monitor weather conditions and the increase in potential for flooding and erosion along the shoreline into spring and early summer 2019. People are urged to use caution or stay away from the Lake Erie shoreline during times of strong wave action and elevated water levels.

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

This Flood Watch is in effect until Further Notice.

Contact Ben Hodi at 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.