Brighton and Hove faces heavy rain and gales until Tuesday

Brighton and Hove faces heavy rain and stormy winds with little respite until Tuesday (7 January), forecasters said today (Friday 3 January).

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings and Sussex Police urged people to take care on the roads, promenades and coastal paths.

Up to 2in of rain is expected to fall by late Tuesday with winds gusting at more than 40mph today and overnight on Sunday and Monday.

While a brief spell of calm should return late tomorrow (Saturday 4 January) and early on Sunday, storms and gales are expected to batter the area for the next four and a half days.

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning yesterday (Thursday 2 January). It said: “Another spell of unsettled weather is expected on Friday with further wet and windy conditions likely.

“Tides will be very high and the public should be aware of the risks of large waves and coastal flooding.

“Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, will affect the UK on Sunday.

“Quite widespread accumulations of 10mm to 20mm are then likely with locally in excess of 40mm possible over some higher ground.

Disruption

“This additional rainfall, following the recent wet weather, means that the public should be aware of an increased risk of both surface water and river flooding as well as disruption to transport.

“The public is advised to take extra care.”

Sussex Police said: “The stormy end to 2013 is set to become an equally stormy start to 2014 and emergency services and agencies across Sussex are warning people to take care.

“More rain is forecast, adding not only to swollen rivers, but also rising ground water and existing flooded areas.

“Winds of up to 65mph along the coast, combined with high tides and low pressure, are likely to create storm surges and a large number of flood alerts are in place all along the Sussex coast and further inland.”

Inspector Andy Kundert, Sussex Police’s emergency planning officer, said: “We’re set for another very stormy period and, in addition to the usual hazards out on the roads of Sussex, there’s potential for coastal and inland flooding around high tide times around lunchtime and midnight on Friday (3 January).

“Be prepared for hazards on the road when you are driving, not least fallen trees and stretches of floodwater.

“Don’t assume that the road is clear around the next corner. It may not be.

Dangers

“If you are unfortunate enough to lose your power, please be careful in making other arrangements.

“Be aware of the dangers of naked flames or portable cooking equipment and make sure that anything that burns fuel, such as camping stoves or generators, is well ventilated so that poisonous fumes don’t build up indoors.

“If you’re tempted out to see Mother Nature at her most ferocious, please be really careful, especially near the sea.

“Enormous amounts of shingle have been washed away over the past few weeks, increasing the hazards with the sea encroaching much further up the beaches and literally tons of water crashing in with each wave.

“Please do not be tempted to swim or even paddle.

“As always, we would ask that you look out for your neighbours and other people in your community, especially if they may be vulnerable and particularly if there is a power cut, flooding or other difficulties in your area.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said: “There will be a high spring tide from Wednesday 1 January through to Monday 6 January.

“The weather is also forecast to remain very wet and windy.

“This will result in dangerous conditions in the sea and on the beach with waves and shingle over-topping along the seafront.

Stormy

“We advise residents to stay away from the seafront and beach during periods of high tide and stormy conditions.”

High tide is at 12.12pm today (Friday 3 January), 12.43am and 12.58pm tomorrow, 1.29am and 1.45pm on Sunday and 2.16am and 2.32pm on Monday.

The council added: “Due to the storms over the last week the shape of the beach has changed and is extremely steep in some places, making it dangerous to walk close to the water’s edge, particularly for young children and dogs.

“The seafront team is advising people to stay well away from the water’s edge and to be extra vigilant of young children, holding their hands and keeping dogs on leads.

“Even on a calm day, steep drops on the beach, sea currents, undertow or a sudden change in weather can create life-threatening hazards without warning.”

Seafront operations manager Viki Miller said: “The conditions are already hazardous and although it can be tempting to have a quick swim in the sea it’s not worth putting yourself at risk.

“The temperature of the sea at this time of year is extremely cold and you can be caught out by strong currents or debris churned up by the storms.”

The council said: “Our seafront team monitors the sea conditions but there is no beach lifeguard service in operation during the winter months.”

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service issued similar advice.

The Environment Agency issued a flood warning this morning for tidal areas of Shoreham Harbour, with the area at risk extending east through Portslade to Aldrington Basin in Hove.