The first big autumn tide of the season has sparked a flood warning for the River Avon in Bristol - and along the North Somerset coast.
The Environment Agency is warning this morning’s high tide (September 2) could overtop sea defences along the River Avon at Pill and Shirehampton.
The warning was initially put in place yesterday afternoon for last night’s high tide at around 9.45pm last night, and it remains in force for this morning’s high tide, which is due at around 10.15am.
The high spring-tide will be made higher by a stiff Force 4 wind from the west, which could lead to the possibility of flooding all the way along the river from Conham in the east to Sea Mills, and then on the Avonmouth Estuary between Pill and Shirehampton.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said staff were being deployed on tide watch this morning, and the situation was likely to continue for tonight’s high tide too.
“We believe there is a possibility of flooding for the tidal River Avon from Sea Mills to Conham in Bristol and between the Avonmouth Bridge and Shirehampton Park including Pill and Shirehampton,” said a spokesperson.
“The Flood alert will remain in force until Monday evening tide.
“We continue to monitor the situation. Our incident response staff are closing locks and flood gates. We are also deploying staff to do tide watch,” he added.
The forecast tide level for yesterday night’s high tide was 7.93m, with this morning’s expected to be 7.62m above the ordinary sea level.
There are similar warnings in place for Portishead and Portbury, the Severn Estuary between Avonmouth and Oldbury and along the North Somerset coast between Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare.
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