Cornwall Council issues further update on flooding

update on potential flooding  - 13 December 2012

Dear all

The latest information from the MET office and the Environment Agency suggests that a band of rain is due to affect West Cornwall around 3am tomorrow (Friday morning).  This will then work across the whole of Cornwall until around 8am, producing up to 20 mm of rain during the period, some of which will be heavy.  This will be combined with strong South Easterly winds overnight tonight and into tomorrow.  As this rain will be falling on areas where the ground is already saturated, this could produce problems on some roads with standing water and potential localised flooding.

At the same time we will be experiencing high spring tides which, combined with the strong winds and rainfall, could result in a surge of around ½ metre on the expected tidal levels.  High tide is expected around 5am in Penzance, 5.29am in Falmouth and around 6am in Cawsand.  This could generate coastal flooding in areas with a history of flooding, such as Penzance and Newlyn, Flushing and St Gluvias, Mevagissey, Looe and Polperro.   There could also be issues with the A390 at Tresillian and the A39 at the Norway Inn.

As the worst of the weather is due to leave Cornwall by 8am, we hope that this will minimise potential disruption during the main commuter period.

The EA have already issued flood alerts for both the North and South coast, and a flood warning for the South West coast.   

Although the heavy rainfall will move away from late morning on Friday, there will be more showers on Saturday and Sunday, some of which could be heavy with hail and thunder.  There will also be continuing strong winds and high tides which could create more problems with coastal flooding over the weekend.  There could also be problems with people going to view the large waves that are predicted.  Other agencies will be issuing messages warning people of the potential danger of storm watching in coastal areas.    

All the agencies are monitoring the situation closely and are on stand by to respond at short notice if required.  No decision has yet been made to open the emergency centre but Council staff are on stand by to set this up within 20 minutes if necessary.  

Both the Council and the EA have sent out messages via the media and on their websites encouraging members of the public to take preparations if they live in areas which are vulnerable to flooding.  This includes obtaining sandbags and making sure that they check that vulnerable neighbours have support if required. It would be very helpful if you could help spread these messages in your local community.

We will be continuing to monitor the conditions and will send out further updates if the situation changes.  

Kind regards

David Wood (Duty Director)