EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Heavy rain and strong winds have returned to the Island today (New Years Day) causing parts of East Cowes town to flood, prompting the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to turn out to assist.
Firefighters from East Cowes have been working throughout the morning and into the afternoon to pump flood water away from several streets and properties near to the Red Funnel terminal, with Castle Street underwater. It comes as the Met Office reinforce their yellow weather warning for rain.
Island Echo understands the majority of the flooding has subsided with Southern Vectis Route 4 and 5 now serving all stops in the area.
On advice from the Police, the Cowes Floating Bridge has stopped accepting vehicles coming from West Cowes.
UPDATE @ 15:40 – According to HSS Hire, who have been assisting with traffic management in the town, the following roads remain closed in East Cowes;
– Lower part of York Avenue (All roads now open)
All over roads have re-opened in the area.
In Sandown, today’s high tide and the matching strong winds threw water over the sea wall and onto the carriageway resulting in the closure of Culver Parade. Sand that blew onto the road over Christmas remains in situ, creating an ice rink like surface for motorists.
Nearby in Shanklin, a concrete public slipway leading onto the beach has collapsed. No one has been injured.
This exclusive video, captured by Island Echo reader Jen Cook, shows the near zero visibility conditions faced by drivers earlier today.
On the ferries, Wightlink have suspended their Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth catamaran service until further notice due to the adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, Red Funnel’s Hi-Speed Red Jet is running around 10 minutes off of timetable after being suspended earlier in the day.
Hovertravel have also suspended their cross-Solent service.
The Environment Agency have issued a flood alert for the Isle of Wight Coast with water levels expected to be high in Cowes and Yarmouth. A flood alert has also been issued for the Eastern Yar.
UPDATE @ 22:40 – Emergency road closures are being put into place in East Cowes this evening by HSS Hire due to fears over flooding as high tide approaches.
Featured photo by Rebecca Sanders. Slipway collapse photo by Jen Cook.
