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Wind-Driven Seiche Whips Lake Erie, Floods Buffalo as Western Shoreline Empties

Forecasters say Lake Erie’s shallow, west–east basin makes it especially vulnerable to rapid wind‑driven sloshing that flips water levels.

Overview

  • Sustained southwest winds topped 35–45 mph with Buffalo gusts reported up to 75–80 mph, while the National Weather Service logged over 60 mph gusts across the lake.
  • Water levels surged more than six feet at Buffalo on Monday as levels dropped roughly 13 feet near Toledo, producing flooding in the east and exposing lakebed in the west.
  • Wave heights reached about 20 feet in Lake Erie’s eastern basin and 14–18 feet in the central basin, according to weather service observations.
  • Gale and lakeshore flood warnings remained in effect Tuesday with forecasts of 40–46 mph winds and waves up to 12–15 feet on the eastern end of the lake.
  • The receding waters near Luna Pier revealed old pier remnants along with a car and a snowmobile, while authorities cautioned about freezing spray, debris and unstable footing.