Environment Agency puts Kent on flood alert as high tides combine with gale-force winds
09:01, 04 November 2013
Kent is on flood warning again today as high tides combine with potential gale-force winds.
The Environment Agency this morning issued six flood alerts for the county.
It advised people living in coastal parts of Kent, in particular, to be prepared for possible flooding.
The alerts cover a wide area of the county, from Dartford to Dover.
As of this morning, they were in force for:
- rivers Eden and Eden Brook area - from Blindley Heath to Penshurst, including Edenbridge and Hever
- Darent catchment - from Westerham to Dartford, including Brasted, Sundridge, Chipstead, Dunton Green, Otford, Eynsford and South Darenth
- the coast from Dartford to Allhallows, including Greenhithe, Denton, Swanscombe, Northfleet, Gravesend and Cliffe
- tidal Medway, Swale and coastal Isle of Sheppey - from Allhallows to Seasalter including; the Isle of Sheppey, the Hoo Peninsula and Isle of Grain, the Medway Towns, the communities on the River Medway to Allington Lock and Sittingbourne, Faversham and surrounding communities
- the coast from Seasalter to Margate - including Seasalter, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Reculver and Margate
- the coast from Pegwell Bay to Deal - including Sandwich, the Pfizer site and the tidal Stour between the sea and Fordwich, including Plucks Gutter and Grove Ferry
Forecasters said there is the chance of localised flooding and also strong winds in Kent today.
Environment Angecy operations manager Ian Nunn said: "Gale force winds, high spring tides, and stormy conditions have combined to create conditions that could have an impact along the south east coast.
"Those who live in coastal communities in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight should think about the precautions they can take to limit the damage a flood can cause to themselves and their property."
