Brits Told To Evacuate As Storm Emma Causes Floods

PA

Families in Beesands, Devon are being urged to evacuate their home if at all possible.

This advice was given by local emergency services, and comes in the wake of 50 flood warnings given by the Environment Agency.

Yesterday’s snow is thawing, however the Met Office has warned snow will continue to fall today in central and eastern England as well as throughout Scotland and Wales.

The UK is also still experiencing freezing temperatures in many areas.

The Met Office shared the following tweet:

Still cold with a lot of snow falling this afternoon, but #rain showers and a slow thaw across southern England. Take care if you’re heading out.

Kingsbridge Police have given the following serious caution to local residents through their Facebook page:

High tides and strong winds are expected again this afternoon at about 1830hrs. Beesands, Torcross, Hallsands and other villages are again expected to take a hammering.

1. Please do not attend to watch.

2. If you live there or have control of a property then please ensure it is boarded up best as posisble. Please remove all lose items of furniture, move things away from windows, etc.

3. We are not CONSIDERING evacuating residents due to the expected tides/wind. If you are willing and able to voluntarily leave then please do so. Please let us know that you are evacuating by calling 101 and updating Log 370

There are currently fifteen flood alerts warnings throughout south-west and north-east England.

According to Devon Live, The Environment Agency have made the following comment on the current situation in the Beesands area:

Flooding is expected for Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and Dawlish over the high tide on Saturday evening. High water at Teignmouth is at 19:30 Friday evening and 07:45 Saturday morning.

Times of high water will vary along the coast. The tide will be up to 300 mm higher than predicted due to weather conditions. Force 7 East North Easterly winds are forecast with offshore wave heights of 2.2m on Friday PM high tide. Force 5 South Easterly winds are forecast with offshore wave heights of 1.6m on Saturday AM high tide.

However conditions may apply, 2 hours either side of the high tide. Although conditions are expected to be less intense than the Friday morning tide the criteria for a Flood Alert are met.

The Environment Agency added:

Because coastal assets affected have not yet been fully checked for damage we think it prudent to issue this flood warning. Avoid coastal paths and promenades.

Coastal conditions should ease by Sunday, we will issue updates if the situation changes.

The waves caused by Storm Emma have already caused significant damage to the seafront, with a cafe in Brixham being completely destroyed and washed into the sea.

Julia Banim

Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.