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

Autumn storms expected over the next few days

The Autumn weather is forecast to be typically changeable over the next few days, with two low pressure areas due to hit the south west between Thursday and Saturday. With relatively high tides - 4.1m through to and including Sunday - there are concerns that some locations may experience flooding.

On Thursday (i.e. today) low pressure is developing to the south west with strong southerly winds and a likely surge driving water levels up the River Exe. There are concerns at evening high tide, 7.30pm, that the wind may cause some low level flooding in the usual places along Ferry Rd and the Strand.

The low pressure area due on Friday night into Saturday, already named ‘Brian’, is more intense, however wind direction is forecast to be from the SW, which should mean that despite the 4.1m tide, the risk of flooding is low. High tides are 8.30 in the morning and 20.45 in the evening.

Residents who have concerns should deploy their flood defences, however we will not be activating our Flood Wardens as our judgement at the moment is that the overall risk of significant flooding is low. Sandbags are available at Hannafords Quay on the Strand, at Topsham Quay and Topsham Rec.

Strong winds from the south forecast for early next week

We have been given a ‘heads up’ regarding strong winds from a category 2 tropical storm that has formed in the mid-Atlantic, named Hurricane Ophelia. The severe low pressure area is now tracking north and east and is on course to hit the British Isles on Monday / Tuesday next week.

There is a lack of clarity about the exact track of the storm and timing, however should it coincide with high tides that are due from Tuesday evening next week then there could be a risk of flooding in Topsham.

We are keeping a watchful eye on developments and will update this website appropriately. Should it be necessary to deploy flood defences we will ensure that Flood Wardens are on hand to assist.

Finally, please note that due to a technical issue, at present we are unable to access our email server thus will not be able to issue any warning emails. So please urge people to check this website direct and keep abreast of the weather reports on tv, radio and social media.

Atlantic Storms on their way this week

Two quite intense storms are forecast for Thursday and Friday this week which is causing some concern. Thursday, where tide heights are 3.9m (10 am) and 3.6m (10.30pm), is a particular concern at the moment. Winds will be southerly, veering towards SE on Friday, gusting over 40 mph with low pressure and a possible storm surge. There is further low pressure over the weekend but the tide heights will have fallen significantly by then. 

Our current prediction is that the risk of widespread flooding is low, but there could be some waves overtopping, so properties directly adjacent to the river should consider deploying flood defences.

Exeter City Council have made available sandbags on Topsham Quay, Topsham Rec and possibly Hannafords Quay from 8.30 am tomorrow, there are further sandbags available in the store in the corner of Matthews Hall Car Park.

It should be emphasised that there is considerable uncertainty as to the exact path of the storms and their intensity. We will keep this website updated with any significant change to conditions.

Topsham Emergency Group

Stormy weather this weekend

Although the Spring tides will be dropping over the weekend we will be experiencing low pressure from Saturday 19th November to the morning of Tuesday 22nd November. It is predicted that at high water at 22.17 on the Saturday there be heavy rain and a a low pressure of around 988mb with wind from SSE. However tide height is 3.5m so flooding is unlikely.
The wind will pick up again around the time of high water, 10.30, on Sunday but from a north westerly direction.
The low pressure area will gradually move away by Tuesday.

High tides from Monday 14th November

There will be high tides along the Topsham river frontage this week, peaking at 4.5m on Tuesday evening / Wednesday morning. We expect there to be high pressure throughout the first half of the week which will reduce towards next weekend. The light winds will be predominately from a westerly direction, meaning that the likelihood of flooding is low.

Topographical Survey

Exeter City Council have appointed Westcountry Surveyors to conduct a topographical survey along part of the river frontage in Topsham. Work will commence during the week starting Monday 7^th November 2106 and will last up to 4 weeks, with surveying staff undertaking a land survey that will include all features such as properties in an area from Riverside Rd to the Goat Walk at the end of the Strand.

Information gathered from the survey work will be used to determine the potential impact of flooding on properties and the level of protection that can be delivered, considering both economic and environmental factors. This will be fed into an options appraisal which will, hopefully, point the way forward for community flood alleviation in Topsham.

Threshold levels to be measured will typically be front door levels so access to gardens will not usually be required, with the exception of properties on Riverside Road and Sir Alex Walk where levels at the rear of the property will be surveyed.  The survey will encompass all existing flood defences such as location / alignment, height and width of walls and typically will take no more than 15 minutes per property. The resident will not need to be present as long as access to gardens, where required, can be arranged. 

Surveyors will knock on the door of properties where access to gardens is required and check with residents that it is a convenient time, but if there is no answer they will carry out the survey if access is available. Where access is not possible they will put a note in the letterbox to the owners to contact them to arrange a mutually convenient time.  Each member of the survey team will have their own individual identification and carry a letter of authority from Exeter City Council. Without both, the owner is advised to refuse access.

This work has been commissioned by Exeter City Council and is being undertaken with the full knowledge and support of the Topsham Community Association and the Topsham Emergency Group.

Survey work will be cover properties within the 5.5m AOD (Above Ordnance Datum) line and will include properties in:

• ·      Exe St
• ·      Ferry Rd
• ·      Follett Rd
• ·      Halyards
• ·      Hamilton Rd
• ·      Riverside Rd
• ·      Sir Alex Walk
• ·      Topsham Quay
• ·      The Strand
• ·      Tresilian Gardens
• ·      Amity Place
• ·      Higher Shapter St
• ·      Lower Shapter St
• ·      Jubilee Square
• ·      Holman Way
• ·      Monmouth Hill
• ·      Strand Court
• ·      Tresilian Gardens
• ·      White St
• ·      Fore St

 Approximate timing of the work is as follows:

07/11/16 – 18/11/16 – Recreation Ground to Wixels (Ferry Rd nr Church Steps) - Banktop survey at the recreation ground, survey of wall levels of riverside properties

21/11/16 – 02/12/16 – Trout & Sons to The Goat Walk, survey of wall levels of riverside properties.

 Any enquiries should be directed to Peter Stewart - Commercial Operations Manager, Exeter City Council, tel. 01392 265592