High spring tides put Cornwall on flood watch

A string of warnings and alerts have been issued across the Duchy

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 19th Oct 2020

A string of flood warnings and alerts have been issued as high spring tides hit Cornwall.

The Environment Agency says the strong winds and big waves could also contribute to the flooding of low lying land or exposed areas.

People are being urged to be prepared across high tide on Monday evening and into Tuesday morning.

Three flood warnings have been issued for:

  • South Cornwall coast at Mounts Bay, seafront properties
  • South Cornwall Coast from Lands End to Lizard Point excluding Mounts Bay
  • South Cornwall Coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head excluding Truro City

Eight flood alerts have been issued for:

  • North Cornwall Coast from Chapel Porth to The Rumps excluding the tidal River Camel
  • North Cornwall Coast from Lands End to Chapel Porth
  • North Cornwall Coast from The Rumps to Hartland Point excluding Bude
  • South Cornwall Coast from Gribbin Head to Rame Head
  • South Cornwall Coast from Lands End to Lizard Point
  • South Cornwall Coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head excluding Truro City
  • South Cornwall Coast from Rame Head to Plymouth including tidal estuaries
  • Tidal River Camel excluding Wadebridge and Chapel Amble

"Flooding is expected over the high tides on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. High Spring tides, strong winds and large waves are expected to cause property flooding in low lying or exposed locations on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

"High water at Falmouth on Monday evening is at 20:00 and Tuesday morning at 08:17. Times of high water will vary along the coast.

"Unsettled weather is forecast from Monday afternoon and will bring force 6 southerly winds, possibly increasing to force 8 on Tuesday. Large waves are also expected, causing tides to be higher than published, resulting in wave overtopping and sea spray in exposed locations.

"People are advised to avoid low lying and exposed coastal areas. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update this information by Tuesday afternoon or if the situation changes."

Environment Agency