Stormy weather predicted in South West this weekend (10 August 2014)
The Environment Agency and the Met Office are warning there is a risk that the remnants of ex-tropical storm Bertha could bring strong winds, waves and heavy rainfall to the South West this weekend.
On Sunday and Monday a combination of high spring tides, strong westerly winds and waves brings a possible risk of flooding to the south-west coast of England and along the Severn Estuary.
The heavy rain, which could be as much as 30mm falling in three hours in some locations on Sunday, may also lead to localised surface water flooding. However, the forecast remains uncertain so people are advised to regularly check the flood risk situation over the next 48 hours.
Environment Agency staff are prepared for the high tides expected from Sunday August 10 to Friday 15, and the potential rainfall and high winds this unseasonal low pressure could bring from Sunday. They will be deploying sand bags at various locations which pose the greatest risk based on last winter’s flood events. This is very much a precautionary measure to handle any impacts seen at the peak of the tides.
All of the Environment Agency pumping stations and sluices, gates and penstocks are fully operational and operational gangs are carrying out pre-tide inspections of critical tidal defences.
Paul Sadler for the Environment Agency said:
We will monitor the weather information received from the Met Office and the National Flood Forecasting Centre to ensure that we are fully prepared. Our staff are ready to provide warnings to communities where we understand there may be a risk of flooding.
Recently completed and ongoing remedial works along the coast and river systems are also constantly checked during these times of greatest flood risk.
The Environment Agency is continuing to monitor the situation closely along with the Met Office and local authorities. People can sign up to receive free flood warnings, check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation on the GOV.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding or follow @EnvAgencySW and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.
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