Flood warning for Plymouth’s Barbican
Residents and businesses on Plymouth’s Barbican are being warned of expected flooding early on Friday morning due to high spring tides and strong winds.
The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning for the Barbican, including Sutton Harbour. The highest water is due to be at 6.50am and but areas could be affected earlier.
Residents and business are being advised to protect premises that are prone to flooding and to consider moving stock or belongings from lower levels.
The City Council’s highways contractor will have crews on standby from 4am and sandbags will be available for distribution at the Mayflower Steps end of The Parade.
If any residents are displaced by flooding the City Council has plans to set up a rest centre nearby.
Past experience, together with the predicted conditions, shows that other waterfront areas such Stonehouse and Millbay may be at risk and residents are advised to be alert.
Roads are also likely to flood and drivers are urged to take care and not to drive through flood water. Crews are on standby to attend any affected roads.
Services at the Torpoint Ferry are also likely to be affected by the surge, though a limited service is expected to run.
There will be regular updates on Twitter using the #plymouthaware hashtag.
The Environment Agency has issued 13 severe flood warnings across the South West.
Wind of up to 65mph and waves of six to nine metres are forecast. Beaches, coastal promenades, roads and footpaths will be extremely dangerous and the public are advised to avoid these areas.
Warnings have also been issued for coastline along East Devon and between Start Point and Dawlish Warren, including Beesands, Torcross, Slapton, Torbay and Dawlish. Warnings have also been issued in low lying or exposed parts of coastal communities in North Devon, including Clovelly, Westward Ho!, Watermouth Cove, Combe Martin, Lynmouth and areas around Ilfracombe, including Cheyne Beach, The Quay, The Strand and Broad Street.
A further 31 flood warnings requiring immediate action against flood have been issued in the South West region.
Fifty pre-emptive flood alerts which indicate a strong possibility of flooding have been issued around the South West including on the River Exe near Tiverton and Teignbridge.4
Met Office forecasters have issued a Yellow Weather Warning for the South West. A spokesman said: “Another spell of unsettled weather is expected on Friday with further wet and windy conditions likely across western areas in particular. Tides will be very high, and the public should be aware of the risks of large waves and coastal flooding.”
The Met Office Chief Forecaster said: "Another spell of wet and windy weather will affect the British Isles on Sunday as a new, deep depression becomes anchored over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The associated frontal system is then expected to move eastwards across Britain, perhaps not clearing the far east and southeast until Monday morning.
"Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, will affect the UK on Sunday. Quite widespread accumulations of 10-20 mm are then likely with locally in excess of 40mm possible over some higher ground.
"This additional rainfall, following the recent wet weather, means that the public should be aware of an increased risk of both surface water and river flooding as well as disruption to transport."
A second weather warning has also been issued for Sunday.
Devon and Cornwall police have asked that people stay out of the sea during the next few days of bad weather following two people going either missing or drowned while swimming in the last two days.
This includes a 27-year-old man who went missing in the early hours of New Year’s Day after night-swimming in Cornwall with a group of friends in stormy weather.
A body has been found this morning and although not formally identified, next of kin have been informed.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, the Council's Cabinet Member responsible for highways maintenance and flooding, said that he's heard from a member of the public who has had his car damaged by waves washing pebbles and shingle onto the road.
He said: "The big concern at present is the risk of coastal flooding over the next few mornings, especially tomorrow (Friday).
"This is due to combination of very high tides, a surge and very large waves. Some properties along the coast will be at risk of flooding.
"Where road users encounter standing water on the road, I urge them to please slow down. Bow waves caused by driving too fast through standing water can damage other people's property.
"And with high winds and high tides expected, I recommend not parking on Esplanades or coastal roads, and that the public stay clear of sea walls or fast flowing, swollen rivers. As dramatic as it is, the conditions can be risky and we do not want people putting themselves or others in danger."
You can keep up to date with flood warnings issued for the South West by the Environment Agency here.
