RESIDENTS BATTLE NATURE AS ‘HIGHEST EVER’ TIDE FLOODS ISLAND TOWNS

Homeowners are battling Mother Nature as flood water surges in from the coast during what is thought to be the highest tide ever recorded. Cowes High Street is underwater this morning (Tuesday), as are many other parts of the coastal town, owing to a forecast tide of 5.29m. The tide has swamped the local area including on Medina Road, The Parade and Egypt Esplanade. In East Cowes, on the other side of the River Medina, the Red Funnel terminal is partially submerged with staff working to clear floodwater from the terminal building. The Esplanade is impassable. The Environment Agency issued several flood warnings on Monday afternoon with advice to move vehicles and install flood protection – but this motorists didn’t get the memo. Over in Newport, the River Medina has burst its banks at Newport Quay where water has reached across the carriageway – again causing some property flooding for riverbank buildings. At Wootton, The Sloop has found itself flooded as water rises up to the main Newport-Ryde Road. They’ve confirmed that there will be no breakfast service as a result. There is currently no emergency response to the flooding and no injuries have been reported. However, Wightlink is advising of 1 hour delays on its Fishbourne-Portsmouth route due to flooding at the Gunwharf terminal in Pompey, where 4 people are said to be stuck inside a Skoda.