Early warning of severe gales this weekend
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| Hurst Beach by viewer Roger Hatley |
10 March 2008:
The Environment Agency has issued Flood Watches from Lymington in the west to Folkestone in the east of the region.
The environment agency is urging people not to go near the coast.
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Flood warnings are currently in force at the following locations:
Hampshire: Brockhampton, Langstone, and Emsworth
Hampshire: Eastoke and South Hayling
Hampshire: Fareham to Portchester
Hampshire: Hamble Estuary
Hampshire: Hythe, Marchwood, Eling, and Redbridge
Hampshire: Itchen Estuary
Hampshire: Lymington, Keyhaven, and Beaulieu
Hampshire: Northney to Selsmore, Hayling Island
Hampshire: Old Portsmouth
Hampshire: West Hayling
Isle of Wight: Cowes, East Cowes, and Newport
Isle of Wight: Gurnard
Isle of Wight: Wootton to Bembridge
West Sussex: Coastal areas from Chichester Harbour to Selsey Bill
Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected at the following locations, which have flood watches in force:
East Sussex: Beachy Head to Hastings
East Sussex: The coast from Fairlight to Dungeness including the Tidal Rother
Hampshire: Fareham to Emsworth Flood Watch Area
Hampshire: Hayling Island Flood Watch Area
Hampshire: Hillhead to Gosport Flood Watch Area
Hampshire: Isle of Wight coast Flood Watch Area
Hampshire: Milford-on-Sea to Calshot Flood Watch Area
Hampshire: Portsmouth Flood Watch Area
Hampshire: Southampton Water Flood Watch Area
Kent: The coast from Sandgate to Dungeness
West Sussex: Littlehampton to Shoreham Harbour
West Sussex: Selsey to Littlehampton Harbour
West Sussex, East Sussex: Shoreham Harbour to Beachy Head
See the latest updates on our Weather Channel.
Severe gale force winds up to 80m.p.h are forecast to coincide with high spring tides and a period of low pressure, which could cause higher sea levels along parts of the south coast throughout Monday.
Environment Agency Regional Strategy Manager, Simon Hughes said:
“We are most concerned about the risk of coastal flooding at high tide around lunchtime. High tide today is at 12:00 at Lymington and at around 13:00 at Portsmouth and moving round the coast as the afternoon progresses. Some flooding of properties in coastal areas is likely and people need to be prepared.
We are expecting a potent cocktail of strong winds, wave action and high tides throughout the day. These will result in higher sea levels and large waves, and flooding in some places.
"We have teams on the ground shoring up the shingle beaches that have taken a battering by the high tide and waves this morning to make sure we are as prepared as possible for the high tide and storm conditions later today. Because of the height of the tides and the intensity of the winds, we expect to see some areas where waves are crashing over the beach and coastal roads and some properties may be flooded.
“The timing of these weather systems with high tide is crucial. Anyone living in low lying exposed coastal areas of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex or Kent should keep a close eye on the situation over the coming days by checking flood updates on the Environment Agency website, ringing our 24 hour Floodline on 08459 881188, and checking local news bulletins.”
"We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we urge them not to go and watch the high waves – it can be extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, and swept into the water.”
The Met Office and Environment Agency are continually reviewing the forecast.
More information
ITV Local Weather Channel
Floodline
0845 988 1188
Met Office
0870 900 0100
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