Category: Flood Status
LPRCA terminates Flood Warning for Lake Erie shoreline, reinstates Flood Outlook
November 1, 2019Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) has terminated the Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline and reinstated the standing Lake Erie Flood Outlook. As the heavy winds from last night have slowed, water levels and wave action in Lake Erie have dropped.
Though the wave action and water levels seen last night have calmed, standing water, erosion, property damage and other impacts from the strong wind, high water and waves overnight continue to affect low-lying shorelines, lakeshore bluffs and some river mouth areas. LPRCA reminds everyone to take heed of municipal messaging and stay away from affected shoreline, bluffs and river mouth areas due to erosion, instability and other damage that has occurred from the recent flooding. Parents are especially reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas due to slippery or unstable banks, cold water and other hazards.
Water levels in Lake Erie are expected to remain very high over the coming months. High static water levels increase the risk of flooding when moderate to severe wind-driven surge events occur. The season when high lakeshore surge events typically occur is just beginning and there is strong potential for further damaging lakeshore flood events over the coming months.
Due to these conditions, LPRCA is reinstating the previously issued Watershed Conditions Statement – Lake Erie Flood Outlook for all Lake Erie shoreline areas within its jurisdiction. Long Point Region Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will update this flood message as necessary.
LPRCA issues Flood Warning for Lake Erie shoreline
October 31, 2019Effective immediately, Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Warning for the entire Lake Erie shoreline within LPRCA jurisdiction. The forecasted lake surge and wave heights are predicted to be higher than the waves and water levels seen last Sunday, October 27. If the forecasted levels are reached, flooding can be expected in low-lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Water levels are expected to peak between 10:00 p.m. Thursday, October 31 and 2:00 a.m. Friday, November 1. Municipal flood coordinators have been asked to monitor road conditions along the lakeshore and warn residents and businesses in very low-lying areas along the lakeshore.
Environment Canada is forecasting south-western winds reaching speeds of 70 km/h or higher, as well as gusts reaching 90 km/h or higher. These wind speeds are expected to occur this evening and continue into early Friday morning.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting water levels in Port Colborne to rise 1.4 meters above the current level to an elevation of 176.0 meters (IGLD) and Long Point water levels to rise 0.9 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.5 meters (IGLD). The anticipated strong winds are expected to cause waves reaching up to 1.8 meters in the Port Colborne area and up to 3.4 meters in the Long Point area.
This Flood Warning for the Lake Erie shoreline is in effect until noon, Friday, November 1, 2019. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the watershed and will update this message as necessary.
Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
October 30, 2019Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Environment Canada is expecting up to 37 km/h winds from the northeast this afternoon, diminishing to 19 km/h southeast overnight and south Thursday morning. Winds are expected to increase to 28 km/h southwest by noon Thursday, and further increase to 65 km/h southwest Thursday evening.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is currently forecasting Port Colborne to rise 1.1 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.7 meters (IGLD) and Long Point to rise 0.5 meters above the current level to an elevation of 175.2 meters (IGLD). Strong winds are expected to cause wave heights to reach up to 1.7 meters in the Port Colborne area and up to 2.5 meters in the Long Point area. The forecasted lake surge and wave heights are similar in magnitude to what occurred during this past Sunday’s event.
Lake levels are expected to begin to rise early Thursday afternoon, and peak between 8:00 PM and midnight late Thursday evening. If this surge level is reached, flooding can be expected in low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the conditions and stand by for further information. People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing 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 noon, Friday, November 1, 2019.
Contact Matt Churly 519-427-4423 should further information be required.
Flood Watch (Event Message #1)
October 26, 2019Effective immediately, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is issuing a Flood Watch for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Environment Canada is expecting 30 to 50 km/h winds from the southwest and west, with gusts of 80 km/h to develop over night and into Sunday morning in the wake of an intense low pressure system. Winds will diminish Sunday evening and overnight into Monday.
Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is predicting a 1.72 meter rise above chart datum (173.5 m) at Long Point.
Lake levels are expected to begin to rise Sunday morning and peak around 5 pm. If this surge level is reached, flooding can be expected in low lying areas along the Lake Erie shoreline
Community flood coordinators are advised to monitor the conditions and stand by for further information.
People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing 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 noon, Monday, October 28, 2019.
Contact Paul Gagnon at 519-429-4899 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook – Lake Erie
October 8, 2019LPRCA adjusts Lake Erie Flood Watch to a Flood Outlook
Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) is issuing a Flood Outlook for all areas along the Lake Erie shoreline to bring attention to Lake Erie’s high static water levels and the possibility of flooding during the fall and winter months.
The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum from October 3, 2019 reports that:
Lake Erie’s September monthly mean water levels were 69 cm above average, a new record high for the month.
Lake Erie fell 12 cm last month, more than its average September decline of 9 cm.
At the beginning of October, Lake Erie’s level was 69 cm above average, 20 cm higher than last year and 7 cm below the record high beginning-of-October level set in 1986.
In the Long Point Region watershed, Lake Erie’s current static water level (calm) is 174.78 m. While water supplies in the Great Lakes were higher than average over the last three months, they were lower than levels measured in the previous three-month period. Assuming average water supply conditions, Lake Erie’s water level is expected to continue dropping in October.
With above-average water levels and the possibility of strong southwest winds typical of the fall and winter months, there is an increased risk of both wave-driven erosion along the shoreline and flooding from lake surges and wave uprush.
Community flood coordinators and the public are advised to monitor weather conditions, especially strong Southwest winds. People are urged to use caution and 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 provide updates as necessary.
This Flood Outlook is in effect until Further Notice.
Contact Matt Churly at 519-842-4242 ext. 226 for more information.
Flood Watch
May 15, 2019The 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.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook – Lake Erie
May 9, 2019The Long Point Region Conservation Authority is updating the Flood Outlook for all areas of the Lake Erie shoreline within its jurisdiction. This updated message is intended to raise attention to the current and forecast high static water levels of Lake Erie. The potential for storm surge events continues to be increased as a result of the higher lake levels.
The National Hydrological Services Great Lakes Water Levels Information Memorandum (May 1st, 2019) reports that:
- Water supplies to the Great Lakes were well above average in April as a result of heavy rain, mild temperatures and snowmelt.
- During the month of April, Lake Erie was 60 cm above average and the 6th highest April mean level on record, and the highest since 1998.
- At the beginning of May, Lake Erie’s monthly water level was 3 cm above the record-high set in May 1985.
- Lake Erie could exceed monthly average levels this summer and early fall set in 1986.
As a result of the high lake levels, there continues to be an increased risk for flooding and erosion along the Lake Erie shoreline. The greatest risk for flooding and erosion in the Long Point Region in particular is from storms with sustained south-westerly and westerly wind storms. The risk for flood events along the shoreline is expected to remain high into summer.
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 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.
Long Point Region Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will update this flood message as necessary.
Contact Ben Hodi, Water Resources Analyst at 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event Message # 1)
April 12, 2019A strong Texas low pressure system is expected to move through the area on Sunday, and overnight into Monday, potentially bringing with it in the range of 30-50 mm of rain. Watercourses can be expected to rise should this forecasted rain occur.
Due to the expected water level rise, the LPRCA is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all watercourses within its jurisdiction. Current conditions and the forecasted rainfall may result in nuisance flooding in typically affected low-lying floodplain areas and unsafe conditions around watercourses.
People are cautioned to stay away from all watercourses as the combination of slippery banks, and cold, fastflowing water can be dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.
If it is safe to do so, landowners are also advised to ensure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly, ahead of this rain event.
With watercourse levels expected to remain elevated for several days, this message is in effect until noon, Friday, April 19, 2019. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Craig Jacques, Water Resources Specialist 519-842-4242 ext. 265 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Update – Event Message # 2)
March 14, 2019Current forecasts are expecting a low-pressure system to move into the region from the American mid-west bringing rain and the potential for isolated thunderstorms. Rain is forecast to begin today and may be heavy at times with isolated pockets of thunderstorms producing up to 25 mm. Watercourses are expected to rise as a result of the combination of rain, saturated ground conditions and warm temperatures.
Due to the expected rise in water levels, the LPRCA is updating the Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all watercourses within its jurisdiction. Current conditions and the forecast rainfall are expected to result in minor flooding in low-lying areas and unsafe conditions around watercourses.
People are cautioned to stay away from ditches, watercourses, ponds and other water bodies as the combination of slippery banks, unstable ice and cold, fast-flowing water can be dangerous. Ice conditions on watercourses, ponds and reservoirs are expected to deteriorate and should be considered unsafe. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all of these areas.
If it is safe to do so, landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly.
With watercourse levels expected to remain elevated for several days, this message is in effect until noon, Friday, March 22, 2019. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Paul Gagnon, Lands and Waters Supervisor 519-842-4242 ext. 232 should further information be required.
Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety (Event Message # 1)
March 8, 2019Starting Saturday afternoon, a Colorado low is forecast to enter South-Western Ontario bringing warmer temperatures and precipitation. Up to 20 mm of precipitation by Sunday morning is expected with daytime high temperatures above zero continuing into next week.
With the forecast rain and above freezing temperatures, the majority of snow is expected to melt resulting in rising stream levels and possibly some nuisance flooding in low-lying areas. Due to the expected rise in water levels, the LPRCA is issuing a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety for all watercourses within its jurisdiction.
People are cautioned to stay away from ditches, watercourses, ponds and other water bodies as the combination of slippery banks, unstable ice and cold, fast-flowing water can be dangerous. Ice conditions on watercourses, ponds and reservoirs are expected to deteriorate and should be considered unsafe. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all of these areas.
If it is safe to do so, landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly.
With watercourse levels expected to remain elevated for several days, this message is in effect until noon, Friday, March 15, 2019. LPRCA staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will update this message as necessary.
Contact Ben Hodi, Water Resources Analyst 519-842-4242 ext. 264 should further information be required.