A flood alert for the Isle of Wight coast has been issued by the Environment Agency for today (New Year’s Day).
It’s said that this afternoon’s high tide – at around midday – will be higher than normal due to unsettled weather with strong South Westerly Force 7 winds and large waves.
Unsettled weather will bring around 10-15mm of rainfall, with isolated totals of 20mm being possible.
The weather increases tide table values by 0.5 m. The total forecast tide is 4.76 metres Chart Datum (2.17 mAOD) at Cowes.
Islanders are warned that for 1 hour either side of high water, large waves will cause spray overtopping and overwashing of defences across the exposed coast at Freshwater Bay, Sandown, Shanklin, Gurnard and Ryde. This will flood esplanades, sea front car parks and roads in these locations.
As Cowes is more sheltered, impacts, will be minimal.
Thankfully, the Environment Agency does not expect property flooding.
Tomorrow morning’s tide at 00:15 is forecast to be 11 cm higher (2.28 mAOD) and with no rainfall forecast, no further flood impacts are expected.
I wonder how long it will be, before they shut
Leeson Road again.