Lakeshore Flood — Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

2019-10-31 · Northern Erie, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Lake Erie water levels remained above normal with near record levels for October and November 2019. Lake levels were on average 3 feet above normal for both months. A powerful storm system moved over Lake Erie on October 31 into November 1 which was produced storm force winds across the eastern basin. Significant beach and shoreline erosion occurred across lakeshore Pennsylvania along with major damage to shoreline structures.

Storm force westerly winds sustained around 50 knots with gusts up to 60 knots were observed along the eastern basin of Lake Erie. In Erie Pennsylvania winds were measured at 52 mph around 11 PM on October 31. Waves of 14 to 18 feet were observed along the southeastern shoreline, with locally higher waves. Wave breakers were estimated over 12 feet. This combined with above normal lake levels produced significant lakeshore flooding mainly along portions of Erie County Pennsylvania. Low lying properties near the shoreline sustained damage from flood waters and erosion of foundations. Retention walls and riparian barriers were battered and damaged resulting in millions of dollars in repairs. Up to 8 feet of bluff erosion occurred in some areas mainly in eastern Erie County.

Wider weather episode

A strong area of low pressure system moved up the Ohio Valley and into Ontario on October 31, 2019. Strong southwest sustained winds up to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph occurred with this system as it deepened across Ohio in the evening hours. The strong cold front trailing the low pressure system dropped temperatures from the low 50s into the low to mid 30s. Storm force winds occurred on the eastern basin of Lake Erie and into portions of Northwest Pennsylvania. These strong winds produced significant lakeshore erosion in portions of Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 859902. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.