High spring tide could bring floods to Ramsgate, Sandwich bay, Deal and Kingsdown tonight
19:05, 08 April 2020
updated: 19:07, 08 April 2020
The government has issued a flood warning for much of the East Kent coast tonight.
An orange alert posted on the official flood information website stretches all the way from Ramsgate to Folkestone, with high waters expected due to the spring tide.
Flooding is expected two hours either side of high tide tonight, which equates to between about 10.25pm today and 2.25am tomorrow.
The worst hit stretch according to forecasts will be the Sandwich to Deal section, with floods suggested to stretch inland as far as Northbourne and Each End.
Telling residents "flooding is possible - be prepared", government guidance on the surge reads: "This Flood Alert has been issued as large tidal surge is expected to affect the foreshore due to high spring tides.
"Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the coast throughout this area, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Sandgate esplanade, Dover Marina and St Margaret’s Bay.
"Coastal conditions might continue for the next few days during the high spring tides period. Please be careful in areas along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths during the period of concern, and avoid any flood water.
"We will continue to monitor this situation, and have staff prepared to respond if needed.
"Detailed information for those who need it: the total water level for Dover is forecast to be 3.68 m AOD at 00:25 BST on 09/04/20."
This mean the water level will be more than 3.5 metres above its usual height.
For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here.