Environment Agency urges caution as high tides expected on south coast
The Environment Agency is urging communities in the south to be aware of the risk of flooding from Storm Brian with high tides and large waves expected on Friday and Saturday.
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Environment Agency staff are working around the clock to minimise flood risk and to protect people, property and land. Teams are out clearing trash screens, inspecting coastal defences, and checking river levels.
Richard O’Callaghan, Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
We’re expecting to see a combination of high tides and winds leading to an increased tidal surge for Saturday around midday. Due to Storm Brian we are currently assessing key areas at risk on the current forecasts and planning for our response.
With a particularly high tide due in Yarmouth at midday tomorrow, we will be moving 100 metres of temporary barrier to the Isle of Wight today, ready to deploy in the morning. We will also be putting the boards into the RNLI slipway in Lymington this evening, as well as closing the gates tonight and tomorrow for the high tides.
Anyone concerned should act now and sign up to our free Flood Warning Service so they can be ready to take action if they get these warnings to protect themselves and their property. Please check your flood risk and sign up for our free warnings at gov.uk/flood or by calling 0345 988 1188. You can also get the latest updates on Twitter by following us at @EnvAgencySE.
We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and we urge communities to be aware of their risk and be ready to act.
For media enquiries, contact 0800 141 2743.