High Tides this weekend

The high Spring tides this weekend have now passed their peak, fortunately without serious incident. Many properties displayed some impressive looking flood defences.

Our pictures are taken from near Trout's boatyard, by the Church steps, at high tide on Friday morning, 20th February.

Also, for an interesting explanation of the so called 'syzygy effect' , please see this link.

High Spring tides in Topsham this weekend

Topsham can expect high Spring tides from Thurs 19th February and Monday 22nd February. The highest tides are 4.6 m on Friday at 07.41 and again 4.6m on Saturday at 08.23, some of the highest tides of the year.

Atmospheric pressure is predicted to be just lower than normal on both days and the tidal surge will be about 5cms on Friday and about 5cms below normal on Saturday.

The wind is predicted to be from the SSE at 06.00 on Friday gusting 10mph but swinging  clockwise to the North at 09.00, gusting at 18mph. On Saturday the wind is predicted to be from the North West.

Water may just overlap low lying roads at high tide, however, based on information to hand, we assess the risk of property flooding at this time to be minimal.

Flood Wardens needed in Topsham

The Environment Agency is offering training to individuals who wish to volunteer as Flood Wardens. This will be delivered jointly by the EA and the Fire Service, based on a package developed by Cornwall Community Flood Forum, funded by Devon County Council.

The role

Assist the community before, during and after a flooding incident:
-    Responsible for a defined sector (ie number of residences) within the Flood Zone in Topsham and / or general assistance with flood defences
-    Ensuring that residents within that sector are aware that there might be flooding
-    Assistance in deploying individual property flood defences (ie flood boards, sandbags)
-    Helping to deploy community flood defences (where appropriate)
-    Sounding ‘alerts’ and ‘all clear’
-    Helping to clear up / remove flood defences, post-incident
-    Act as a conduit of information between residents and Topsham Emergency Group / the emergency responding agencies (eg Fire Service, Police, Exeter CC).

Person profile

-    Local resident, most likely from the sector within the Flood Zone, with good knowledge of local geography and people living in the sector (ideally but not necessarily)
-    Able to assist older / vulnerable neighbours
-    Community spirited

The Training

The content of training is as follows:
1.    Introduction to Flood Risk
2.    Instruction to Emergency Services
3.    Health & Safety and Risk Management
4.    Role profile of Flood Wardens
5.    Sandbags
6.    Safeguarding

Dates

Thursday 22nd January & Thursday 29th January. The training is over two  evenings, so you would need to attend both sessions.

If this is of interest to you, please email topfloods@topsham.org.uk with subject: Flood Wardens.

High tides: Thursday 6th November and Saturday 8th November 2014

We are expecting high times in Topsham on Thursday evening (4.2m) and Saturday morning (4.3m).

On Thursday evening the weather forecast is for strong winds from the south gusting to over 30 mph, with accompanying low pressure, and a predicted tidal surge of +0.33m. Therefore we expect the river to overlap the road at low points, eg at Trout’s Boatyard, however it is unlikely to threaten property.

At this stage there is no undue cause for concern, but residents should be aware of the situation.

FURTHER HIGH SPRING TIDES FOR TOPSHAM OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

Topsham residents should be aware that we will be experiencing high Spring tides over the next few days. In addition, on Wednesday evening, 8th October, we expect winds gusting from the south west, which, added to a small 0.26m surge, will raise the predicted height of the tide. This may lead to water getting close to or overlapping the road at low points, eg at Trouts Boatyard. However at this stage there is no cause for concern.

High tide information is as follows:

Tuesday 7 October			18.47	4.3m
Wednesday 8 October	07:16	4.2m	19:36	4.4m
Thursday 9 October	08:01	4.3m	20:20	4.5m
Friday 10 October	08.42	4.3m	21:01	4.4m
Saturday 11 October	09:20	4.3m

Topsham Emergency Group

High Spring tides next week

Brian Grimshaw of the Topsham Emergency Group gives news of next weeks highest tide of the year. Video courtesy of Topsham TV.

The highest tides of the year will occur next week in Topsham, commencing Monday 8th September through until Friday 12th September, peaking on Wednesday evening with a tide of 4.6m at 20:42.

However, weather conditions are predicted to be benign, with high pressure continuing to dominate our weather, leading to light winds and little swell, with no rain in the forecast either.

Our advice to residents is that currently predictions show that there is no need to take any action in respect of property defence, as the likelihood of flooding is assessed as being low, despite the high Spring tides.

Flood Fair report

On Friday 4th July 2014, the Topsham Emergency Group organised a "Flood Fair" in the aftermath of last winter's storms and flooding. Held in Matthews Hall, Topsham, it featured a day of displays on flood protection, environmental and emegency planning topics, followed by an evening Q&A with an expert panel.

See the permanent page Flood Fair for a full report.