Flood warnings for large parts of SW coastline

FLOOD alerts are in place for large parts of the South West coast, with warnings of heavy rain, unsettled weather and large waves until later today.

Four danger areas have been highlighted by the Environment Agency in Devon, covering large areas of the coast.

They run from Plymouth to Rame Head, Start Point to Dawlish Warren, the South Devon Estuaries, and Hartland Point to Lynmouth in North Devon.

Just across the border in Somerset, there is a red flood warning in place for Porlock Weir, with flooding ‘expected.’ Residents there are urged to take immediate action. There are a further three red flood warnings in Cornwall and five flood alerts.

In Cornwall, three flood warnings cover Mounts Bay and the whole of the coastline from Lands End to Lizard Point, as well as from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head.

In Mounts Bay, the Environment Agency warns flooding is likely to affect seafront properties. In addition, there are eight flood alerts covering much of the north coast and some tidal rivers, down to Lands End and on the south coast from Plymouth all the way to Lizard Point.

In the case of flood alerts, people are advised to prepare a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents and also check flood warnings.

Forecasters have warned that, from last night, unsettled weather is due to increase wave heights and wind speeds, with peak tide levels as much as 350mm higher than published during normal conditions.

High tides driven by south-easterly winds increasing to Force Six forecast last night were due to veer southwesterly and increase to Force Eight during today.

Offshore wave heights of up to 6m are expected to peak this morning, with spray and wave overtopping in exposed locations possible.

The first high tide in Plymouth today is at 8.51am, with tide times varying along the coast.

The Environment Agency warns that flooding is possible two hours either side of high tide, and around the Tamar estuary the locations affected could include Kingsand, Cawsand and Saltash. People are advised to take care at the coast.

Further east, the first high tide at Exmouth today is at 9.30am, with southerly winds reaching Force Five and 1.2m offshore wave heights making low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to flooding.

Forecasters are urging people to stay away from areas of risk. They added: “It is expected that this flood alert will remain in force until high tide on Tuesday morning.”