Environment Agency warns communities to stay safe and be prepared as Storm Eunice approaches

  • The Environment Agency is calling for public to take action to stay safe during Storm Eunice
  • Public urged to sign up for flood warning alerts on GOV.UK

The Environment Agency is urging people living in flood risk communities in the Severn and Wye estuaries to take immediate action to prepare for flooding from a forecast tidal surge caused by Storm Eunice this Friday.

The tidal surge is expected tomorrow (Friday) morning, and the Environment Agency is urging people to take steps to protect themselves and their property from the risk of flooding.

The Agency has issued 9 Severe Flood Warnings along the Severn and Wye due to the high risk of flooding from Avonmouth and up the Severn into Gloucestershire and along the Wye from Chepstow to Monmouth.  Severe Flood Warnings indicate that there is a risk to life. A further 20 Flood Warnings are also in place.

Flood barriers have also been deployed further up the region in Shrewsbury, Frankwell and Beales Corner in Bewdley and officers are ready to deploy barriers at Ironbridge if needed.

Residents are urged to sign up to Environment Agency Flood Warning messages and to make sure they are prepared for flooding by following the ‘Prepare, Act, Survive’ guidance:

  • Prepare a bag that includes medical and insurance documents
  • Check the latest flood situation online
  • Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water
  • Check your insurance to make sure you are covered for flood damage. If you rent your home, it is your responsibility to have insurance for your belongings.
  • If you are flooded, call 999 if in immediate danger and follow advice from emergency services.

Kay Champion Area Incident Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

The arrival of Storm Eunice overnight on Thursday has the potential to cause severe flooding with overtopping of defences, very strong winds and high waves. There is potential for record water levels along the Severn and Wye estuary.

We are closely monitoring the situation and working closely with our partners. Our incident response staff are checking defences.

We urge people to make sure they are prepared by signing up to Flood Warnings and making sure they are in a safe place by following guidance from emergency services.

We also strongly urge people to stay away from the coast during the storm as there is a real risk to life during these severe high winds.

You can check your flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood updates.

The Met Office has issued a red warning for strong winds from Storm Eunice. This could cause a storm surge and flooding from large waves, potentially affecting communities in the Severn and Wye estuaries on Friday.

Flooding is possible from Sharpness and up the River Severn into Gloucestershire and along the Wye to Chepstow. With the Met Office weather warning in place people should take extreme care near the estuary and any coastal areas. We are urging people to stay safe and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking ‘storm selfies’.  Please avoid low lying roads and footpaths during this time. There is potential for high water levels between 7:30 and 11:30 am on Friday morning.