Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Two hundred people had to be evacuated when the River Arun burst its banks on Tuesday
- Author, Amy Walker
- Role, BBC News, South East
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Flood warnings remain in place for parts of West Sussex after gale-force winds combined with rain and high tides caused chaos on Tuesday.
The Environment Agency said an early morning tide on Wednesday morning was higher than normal due to gale force 5 winds and large waves, with the afternoon tide expected to be “very similar”.
It comes as more than 200 people had to be evacuated in the county after the River Arun burst its banks on Tuesday.
The south coast experienced some of the highest tides on record overnight on Monday and into Tuesday, due to gale force 8 winds in the wake of Storm Kathleen.
Parts of the UK have already seen close to the whole month’s average rainfall in just the first nine days, with more rain spreading eastward across the country on Wednesday.
As clean-ups are ongoing for businesses and residents in the South East, rain is expected to be heavy and relentless in north-west England and western Scotland.
Flood warnings are still in place for East Wittering and the Bracklesham coast, Medmerry, Climping and Littlehampton Rope Walk in West Sussex due to high tides.
One person was taken to hospital after flooding at the Medmerry Holiday Park, between Bracklesham and Selsey, where 180 people were evacuated overnight on Tuesday.
Lee, from South Wales, who was staying at the site, told the BBC that he woke up at 01:30 BST to find his bed was “rocking and floating on water”.
He said his van had also been submerged in water, and he had lost everything.
“I’ve lost all my tools and my two work laptops. My clothes were in my caravan too.”
Image source, Eddie Mitchell
A clean-up operation is underway at holiday parks hit by Tuesday’s flooding
Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club in Chichester was also impacted, with 20 people evacuated from the site.
Sherrie Streetley, its manager, told BBC Radio Sussex on Wednesday that the flooding had been “unbelievable” despite sandbags being in place.
“The sea was just coming over the beach…and flooding onto our site. It happened so quickly.”
She added that damage was limited, but staff would undertake a “clean-up operation” on Wednesday.
Beach huts battered by bad weather are now teetering on the edge of a cliff
A warning also remains in place for Hampshire in North and East Hayling, after the Environment Agency said the county would record its highest-ever tides in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
New Forest District Council assessed damage at Milford-on-Sea in Hampshire this morning, with a team expected to clear debris from the bay on Thursday.
It said beach huts, which had been battered by Storm Kathleen, would be removed soon, with renters not billed.
The Environment Agency said its teams would be out across the region supporting other agencies and to “check the effect of the conditions on our flood defences” on Wednesday.
Further rain expected
The chaos comes after a wetter than average few months, with rain continuing to fall in April.
For parts of eastern Scotland, north-west England, Wales and south-west England we’ve had close to the whole month’s rainfall falling in just the first nine days.
Following heavy rain in some parts of the UK on Wednesday, the forecast looks a little drier for the rest of the week, especially in southern areas of the UK but overall, quite changeable into next week with further rain at times.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
