Tecumseh Continues To Prepare For Potential Lake Flooding

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The Town of Tecumseh continues to prepare for possible flooding.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority recently issued a long term flood watch for Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and Lake Erie—including the shoreline along Riverside Drive and Pike Creek.

Tecumseh is strongly advising everyone within the designated flood prone area to take appropriate action to prepare for potential lake flooding. This preparation includes setting up a location to self-evacuate to, an evacuation kit and plans for potential self-evacuation. Tecumseh is also offering a total of 200 free sandbags to shoreline properties, which would include those provided last year. Sand is available, free of charge, in Lakewood Park south. You are asked to bring your own shovels and stay 2m from others.  For those wishing to set up delivery of the sandbags, please call 519-735-2184 Ext. 142.

“We knew last year that lake levels were high and there was a threat of lake flooding, this year we have been advised that the lake is now higher than that level and higher than the levels where inland flooding occurred in 1986,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “Residents in the flood prone area need to make their plans now to prepare for potential inland flooding.”

As of March 31st, 2020, the elevation of Lake St. Clair was 3 cm above the previous record high in 1986. It is expected that the peak levels this summer will be 8 cm higher than June and July of 2019. There is a high likelihood that inland flooding will occur in circumstances of sustained north/northeast winds.

The town says that with the current COVID-19 pandemic, emergency shelters are not available for those self-evacuating, and residents should identify a safe location to self-evacuate to and an alternate for back-up in the event the first is not safe.

“With the current elevation of Lake St. Clair and the projected levels in the coming months, it is extremely important for residents to prepare for the real possibility of lake flooding,” said Phil Bartnik, Director Public Works and Environmental Services. “A sustained north/northeast wind will significantly increase the risk of waves overtopping breakwalls causing inland flooding.”

The Town will send out emergency notifications via our emergency alert system, our their website and social media. If you have not registered for emergency notifications, you can do so that www.tecumseh.ca/emergencynotification.