The Environment Agency has issued 2 urgent flood warnings for Ryde andNewportdue to an overnight deluge which has seen more than 60mm of rainfall recorded in the past 6 hours alone – with more on the way.
Officials are warning those in the Monktonmead and St John’s area of Ryde, and those in the vicinity of Lukely Brook in Carisbrooke and Newport. Both warnings have been issued in the early hours in response to the weather witnessed, suggesting no one predicted the impact the rainfall would have.
A total of 61.8mm rainfall (2-and-a-half inches) has been recorded at Ryde in the past 6 hours, within a total of 71mm in the past 24 hours. It’s a similar picture in Newport where just under 50mm has been recorded in 6 hours.
Immediate action is said to be required with locals urged totake action to protect life and property. Avoid contact with, walking or driving through flood water.
At Ryde, the railway tunnel between Ryde St John’s and Ryde Esplanade is completely flooded with around 30ft of flood water. This is now overtopping onto the Esplanade and into the bus station. Simeon Street Rec has turned into a lake with flood barriers erected to contain the water within the confines of the park’s flood defence system.
In nearby Binstead, homes have been flooded in Arnold Road, Cemetery Road and Binstead Hill again and roads have been left impassable. A vehicle has become stuck at the bottom of Binstead Lodge Road where Dame Anthony’s Brook has burst its banks.
A number of key routes across the Island are also impassable this morning. At Downend, Briddlesford Road has been closed in both directions as 2 vehicles have become stuck in a metre-deep flood, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Medina Way in Newport is also flooded between St Mary’s junction and Forest Road junction. This has resulted in the suspension of Southern Vectis’ Route 1 buses until further notice. The bus operator has also confirmed the suspension of Route 7 buses to the West Wight and alterations to Route 8 buses due to flooding at Merstone, Blackwater and Long Lane.
Middle Road and Yarmouth Road out to the West Wight are also reported to be flooded, alongside roads in Arreton, Merstone and Wootton.
In Newport, Foxes Road by Sainsbury’s – alongside the Lukely Brook – is underwater.
UPDATE @ 12:54 – A total of 4 flood warnings are now in place for the Isle of Wight. As well as Monktonmead and Lukely Brook, warnings are in force for Gurnard Luck and the Eastern Yar, between Whitwell and Sandown.
Less severe flood alerts have also been issued for the Caul Bourne, the River Medina, Simeon Street Rec, the entire Eastern Yar and the upper reaches of Lukely Brook.
Island Roads say that they expect the flooding to subside now with little or no rainfall expected for the rest of the day.
Dave Wallis, Island Roads operations and maintenance manager said:
“It has been an extremely busy time for our staff. The rainfall overwhelming watercourses and the high tide this morning presented some extremely challenging conditions.
“With tides now ebbing and the weather forecast showing little or no rainfall for the rest of the day, we are hoping that the worst of the current flooding is now behind us.
“Our teams are out across the Island monitoring the safety of the network and we are re-opening roads as soon as we are able.
“Clearly the level of flooding means that there will be debris left on the network and our clear-up operation is already underway with sweeping and cleansing teams out and about across the network.
“If residents need to travel, we would urge them to continue to take additional care as they move around the network.”
Kite Hill, Wootton is about to re-open as is Briddlesford Road, Downend and Yarmouth Road to the West Wight.
What you should consider doing now
- Act on your flood plan if you have one
- Move your family and pets to a safe place
- Businesses should inform staff and customers, ensure that they can get to safety and move stock to a safe place
- Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so
- Use flood protection equipment, such as flood barriers, air brick covers and pumps to protect your property. Any equipment should be professionally supplied and installed to help reduce the impact of flood water
- Move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items of personal value that you will not be able to replace (such as family photographs). Next move valuables (such as computers), movable furniture and furnishings
- You may need to leave your property, so pack a bag with enough items for a few nights away. Include essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, home insurance information, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need.
- Turn off gas, electricity and water mains supplies before flood water starts to enter your property. Never touch an electrical switch if you are standing in water.
- If it is safe to do so, make sure neighbours are aware of the situation and offer help to anyone who may need it.
- Listen to the advice of the emergency services and be ready to evacuate your property if told to do so. Most evacuation centres will let you bring your pets.
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