Weather 7/8 February 2019

For the next 24-36 hours (from midday Thursday) the forecast is for the weather to turn very windy on Friday morning, with gales and heavy rain continuing into the afternoon, gradually easing from the west followed by blustery showers.

With a 3.9m tide at 08.45 am, reducing to 3.6m later in the day, there is scope for some over-topping along the riverfront, however with winds predominantly from the SW we do not anticipate any significant flooding.

If Residents are in anyway worried they should err on the side of caution and deploy flood defences, but we do not expect to call out the Flood Wardens.

Topsham Emergency Group

Autumn storms Friday 9 November

Further to the note published yesterday, Exeter City Council have put out sandbags for public use in the usual places, ie Topsham Quay and by the gateway to Topsham Rec opposite the cottages.

More Autumn Storms on their way

Its windy and rainfall totals are building and the tides, whilst not at peak level, are over 4m for the next few days through to the weekend. At this stage, however, we do not see a requirement to deploy flood defences as the risk of significant flooding remains low.

With winter now just about upon us, it is important that Residents along the riverfront are able to deploy flood defences as required. therefore we are proposing that, around the time of the next set of Spring tides, due towards the end of November, we run a ‘test’ deployment of flood defences. This will also allow our Flood Wardens to practice their role, which includes helping those not so able to deploy their flood defences.

More information about this planned exercise will be circulated to Residents in a week or so.

Storm Callun arrives tomorrow

The forecast for the next few days is for periods of heavy rain and a strong southerly wind, particularly on Friday, when there will be gusts up to 50 mph. Whilst the storm will undoubtedly hit coastal areas hard, with so little recent rain, water levels in the estuary are low at present even with  tides of over 4 metres.

At the moment we do not see the need to deploy flood defences as the risk of significant flooding is low, but householders should make their own judgement in this matter - those most exposed to the strong southerly winds may wish err on the side of caution and put up their barriers.

Exeter City Council have provided sandbags, available at the usual pick up points at Topsham Rec and the Quay (also at the Sandbag store in the Matthews Hall car park). 

Topsham Emergency Group

High Tides this week

With the rain and strong winds experienced last night (Saturday) there is some concern regarding the high tides that are scheduled for Topsham this coming week, peaking at 4.5m on Monday evening, 13 August.

Winds have lightened significantly, with the prevailing wind for the next few days coming from the north west and with pressure relatively high, there should be little risk of flooding along the Topsham River Exe riverfront.

None-the-less, if you are away from your property for a while it is sensible to leave your flood defences in place, or have arrangements to have them deployed should the situation warrant.

Topsham Emergency Group

Severe weather and high tides this weekend

Dear Resident

As well as the severe weather caused by Storm Emma meeting the ‘Beast from the East’, this weekend we have high Spring tides that will affect Topsham, at 4.4m close to the highest tides of the year.

High tides are scheduled from today, Friday 2nd March, through to Monday morning. Combined with strong easterly winds, particularly on Saturday, there is the potential for flooding, although our best guess at the moment is that there will only be over-topping at the usual places along the river estuary.

Whilst the snow emergency lasts, please be aware that help from neighbours is at hand, there are many volunteers and community spirited people here in Topsham, so if anyone does require assistance please do not ‘suffer in silence’.

We are not planning to deploy our Flood Wardens, but if the situation in relation to flooding deteriorates then we will issue an update.

Topsham Emergency Group

Winter storms forecast for this week

Winter storms are due to impact the south west from this evening (Tuesday) for a few days. There are high spring tides all this week, with a maximum of 4.5m to be reached on Thursday morning’s high tide at around 8pm. As a consequence there may be low-level flooding and over-topping of the River in vulnerable places, however with winds predominantly from the west we do not anticipate widespread or serious flooding. However, Residents with any concerns at all should deploy their flood defences.

Later this week Flood Wardens will deliver the 2018 tide tables to households in the flood zone, which give information about tide levels for the whole of the year. It would also assist us no end if residents are able to give their email addresses (unfortunately the previous database is now unobtainable). This will enable receipt of warnings put out by the Emergency Group which are tailored specifically to Topsham.

Please send email addresses to topfloods@topsham.org.uk